Forfeiture of seized things
253 Forfeiture of seized things
A seized thing is forfeited to the Territory if the Director:
(a) cannot find the owner or person entitled to possess it, after making reasonable inquiries; or
(b) cannot return it to the owner or person entitled to possess it, after making reasonable efforts; or
(c) believes on reasonable grounds that forfeiture is necessary to prevent the thing from being used to commit an offence against this Act.
(2) The Director must give a decision notice of any forfeiture under subsection (1)(c) to the owner or person entitled to possess the thing, unless:
(a) the Director cannot find the person, after making reasonable inquiries; or
it is impracticable or would be unreasonable to give the notice.
(3) In deciding what is reasonable under this section, regard must be had to a thing's nature, condition and value.
(4) Any costs reasonably incurred by the Territory in storing or disposing of a thing forfeited under subsection (1)(c) may be recovered from the owner of the thing as a debt due and payable to the Territory.
This Act’s bill:Explanatory statementSecond reading speech
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