Title 21Food and DrugsRelease 119-73not60

§969 Contempt Proceedings

Title 21 › Chapter 13— DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL › Subchapter II— IMPORT AND EXPORT › § 969

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

If someone refuses a subpoena from the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary can ask any federal court in the area of the investigation or where the person lives or is found to make them comply. The court can order the person to show up, turn over records if asked, or testify, and can punish failure to obey as contempt.

Full Legal Text

Title 21, §969

Food and Drugs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, the Secretary of the Treasury may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which the investigation is carried on or of which the subpenaed person is an inhabitant, carries on business or may be found, to compel compliance with the subpena of the Secretary of the Treasury. The court may issue an order requiring the subpenaed person to appear before the Secretary of the Treasury there to produce records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. All process in any such case may be served in the judicial district whereof the subpenaed person is an inhabitant or wherever he may be found.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was not enacted as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 which comprises this chapter. Section was formerly classified to section 1036 of Title 31 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 31, Money and Finance, by Pub. L. 97–258, § 1, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 877. Section was also formerly classified to section 198c of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

21 U.S.C. § 969

Title 21Food and Drugs

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60