In re Forfeiture of One 1978 Hydroste Boat, Serial Hsp548vtm78, Registration Fl3683cd

LEHAN, Judge.

In this forfeiture case, the respondent contends that the sheriff was guilty of laches in not promptly filing his complaint for a rule to show cause as required by section 932.704, Florida Statutes (1981). The complaint was filed fourteen months after the seizure of the boat and nine months after the resolution of the drug-related criminal charges which resulted from this incident.

The sheriff argues two points regarding respondent’s contention: (1) laches did not exist and (2) respondent did not assert lach-es as an affirmative defense under Florida Rules of Civil Procedure…