(a) Any contraband cigarettes or contraband smokeless tobacco involved in any violation of the provisions of 18 U.S.C. chapter 114 are subject to seizure and forfeiture. The provisions of 18 U.S.C. chapter 46 relating to civil forfeitures extend to any seizure or civil forfeiture under this section. Any cigarettes or smokeless tobacco so seized and forfeited must be either—
- (1) Destroyed and not resold; or
- (2) Used for undercover investigative operations for detecting and prosecuting crimes, and then destroyed and not resold.
- (b) Any vessel, vehicle, or aircraft used to transport, carry, convey, conceal, or possess any contraband cigarettes or contraband smokeless tobacco with respect to which there has been committed any violation of any provision of 18 U.S.C. chapter 114 or the regulations in this part is subject to seizure and forfeiture pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 80302-03. The provisions of 18 U.S.C. chapter 46 relating to civil forfeitures extend to any seizure or civil forfeiture under this section.
[ATF 2006R-1F, 91 FR 25133, May 8, 2026]