§1466 Civil forfeitures

Summary

The United States can take and keep any covered ship, its gear, furniture, stores, cargo, and any hard mineral resources if they were used in or came from a prohibited act under this law. The government can take all or part of the ship or the minerals through a civil court case. Other rules about seizing and selling ships or cargo, and about reducing or cancelling those penalties, apply here when they fit. A federal court with the right authority can order the forfeiture when the Attorney General asks. If the court rules for the United States, the Attorney General may seize any forfeited property not already held. A person who claims the property can post a bond or security to get the property released, but the bond must promise to return the property in good condition or pay its value if ordered by the court. If the bond terms are broken, the court can collect from the person and any sureties. If hard minerals are found on a seized ship, the law starts with the assumption they were taken or kept illegally unless the owner proves otherwise.