§712A-7 Powers and duties of law enforcement officers and agencies. (1) In the event of a seizure for forfeiture under section 712A-6, the property is not subject to replevin, conveyance, sequestration, or attachment but is deemed to be in the custody of the law enforcement agency making the seizure for forfeiture. The seizing agency or the prosecuting attorney may authorize the release of the seizure for forfeiture on the property if forfeiture or retention is unnecessary, may transfer the property to any other county, state, or federal agency or may transfer the action to another prosecuting attorney by discontinuing forfeiture proceedings in favor of forfeiture proceedings initiated by the other agency or prosecuting attorney. An action pursuant to this chapter shall be consolidated with any other action or proceeding pursuant to this chapter relating to the same property upon motion by the prosecuting attorney in either action.

(2) If property is seized for forfeiture under section 712A-6 pending forfeiture and final disposition, the seizing agency may do any of the following:

(a) Place the property under constructive seizure by posting notice of seizure for forfeiture on the property or by filing notice of seizure for forfeiture or notice of pending forfeiture in any appropriate public record relating to the property;

(b) Remove the property to a storage area for safekeeping or, if the property is a negotiable instrument or money, deposit it in an interest bearing account;

(c) Remove the property to a place designated by the court; or

(d) Provide for another agency to take custody of the property and remove it to an appropriate location within the jurisdiction of the court.

(3) As soon as practicable after seizure for forfeiture, the seizing agency shall conduct an inventory and estimate the value of the property seized. Within twenty days after seizure for forfeiture the seizing agency shall make reasonable efforts to give notice of seizure for forfeiture in the manner provided in section 712A-8(a) or 712A-8(b) to all parties known to have an interest in the seized property.

(4) In the event of a seizure for forfeiture under section 712A-6, the seizing agency shall send to a prosecuting attorney a written request for forfeiture within thirty days, which shall include a statement of facts and circumstances of the seizure, the appraised or estimated value of the property, and a summary of the facts relied on for forfeiture. [L 1988, c 260, pt of §1, §7; am L 1990, c 197, §1; am L 1991, c 166, §2; am L 1993, c 196, §1; am L 1996, c 104, §6]