Section 41 – Retention of objects seized under section 39(3)
125.Section 41(1) provides that an object seized under section 39(3) may be retained by the Scottish Ministers. However, if either of the grounds set out in section 41(3) apply, the Scottish Ministers must make the object available for collection. These grounds are that either the procurator fiscal has decided that no proceedings will be taken, or that a relevant fixed penalty notice has been paid, or that court proceedings have concluded without an order of forfeiture being made. The Scottish Ministers are not obliged, however, to make the object available for collection if it is liable for forfeiture as a prohibited item under section 46.