§171.52. Petition for expedited procedures in an administrative forfeiture proceeding. — Inbound Citations

(a) Upon receipt of a petition filed pursuant to § 171.52, Customs shall determine first whether a final administrative determination of the case can be made within 21 days of the seizure. If such a final administrative determination is made within 21 days, no further action need be taken under this subpart.

(b) Except as provided in § 171.52(b), every vessel, vehicle, animal, aircraft, or other thing, which is being or has been used in, or to aid or facilitate, the importation, bringing in, unlading, landing, removal, concealing, harboring or subsequent transportation of any article which is being, or has been introduced or attempted to be introduced into the United States contrary to law, shall be seized and held subject to forfeiture. Any person who directs, assists financially or otherwise, or is in any way concerned in any such unlawful activity shall be liable to a penalty equal to the value of the article or articles involved.

(1) If Customs determines that the factors listed in § 171.52(c) have been established, it shall terminate the administrative proceedings and release the property from seizure, or in the case of a commercial fishing industry vessel for which a summons has been issued, but not yet answered, dismiss the summons. The property shall not be returned if it is evidence of a violation of law.