Section 64: Compensation
246.This section provides that where no forfeiture order is made following the seizure of a suspected drug-cutting agent, the owner of the substance may apply to the relevant court (or the sheriff) for compensation. There is no right for the person from whom the substance was seized – where that person is different from the owner – to claim compensation. Compensation is only payable where the court is satisfied that the applicant has suffered loss during the period the substance was held by the relevant law enforcement agency. Normally, the level of compensation would be less than the market value of the substance (subsection (3)), although the amount may be higher in exceptional circumstances (subsection (4)). Compensation may be payable, for example, if the owner lost a contract as a result of the seizure and retention of the substance. The rule requiring that the amount of compensation should normally be less than 100% of the value of the substance is predicated on the fact that once the substance is returned to the owner it may continue to have some value which could then be realised by the owner.