1. (1) When a seizing agency lawfully seizes a motor vehicle with a hidden compartment, the agency shall disable the hidden compartment, unless the motor vehicle is forfeited and the agency:

   1. (a) Retains the motor vehicle for law enforcement purposes; or
   2. (b) Determines that the cost of disabling the hidden compartment exceeds the value of the motor vehicle.

2. (2) Notwithstanding ORS 131A.360 and 131A.365, if the motor vehicle with a hidden compartment is forfeited and the seizing agency:

   1. (a) Retains the motor vehicle for law enforcement purposes, the agency shall deduct the cost of disabling the hidden compartment from the value of the motor vehicle before making the distribution described in ORS 131A.360 and 131A.365.
   2. (b) Does not retain the motor vehicle for law enforcement purposes and determines that the cost of disabling the hidden compartment exceeds the value of the motor vehicle, the agency shall sell the motor vehicle for scrap or salvage and distribute the proceeds of the sale according to ORS 131A.360 and 131A.365. The seizing agency shall ensure that the person to whom the motor vehicle is sold disables the hidden compartment or the motor vehicle.
3. (3) If a motor vehicle with a hidden compartment is forfeited and the seizing agency sells the motor vehicle, the agency shall deduct the cost of disabling the hidden compartment from the proceeds of the sale as a cost of prosecuting the case under ORS 131A.360 (3) and 131A.365 (2).

[2009 c.874 §7]