Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023)

49A.   Forfeiture order for cash

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    (1)   A court of summary jurisdiction may make an order ordering the forfeiture of any cash which has been seized under section 29A if satisfied, on an application made by a police officer not below the rank of corporal, or a financial investigator of the Financial Intelligence Authority, while the cash is detained under that section, that the cash directly or indirectly represents any person's proceeds of, or benefit from, or is intended by any person for use in, the commission of criminal conduct. (Amended by Act 15 of 2011 and substituted by Act 14 of 2013)

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    (2)   An order may be made under subsection (1) whether or not proceedings are brought against any person for an offence with which the cash in question is connected.

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    (3)   Any party to the proceedings in which a forfeiture order is made (other than the applicant) may, before the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the date on which it is made, appeal to the Court.

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    (4)   An appeal under this section must be by way of a hearing de novo, and the Court may make such order as it considers appropriate and, in particular, may order the release of the cash together with any accrued interest. (Substituted by Act 14 of 2013)

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    (5)   (Inserted by Act 4 of 2010 and deleted by Act 14 of 2013)