(1) An owner of property seized, other than an owner of alcoholic beverages or raw materials, shall file a verified answer within twenty (20) days after the completion of service of process. If no answer is filed, the court shall hear evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture and forfeit the property to the agency which seized the property. If an answer is filed, a time for hearing on forfeiture shall be set within thirty (30) days of filing the answer or at the succeeding term of court if court would not be in progress within thirty (30) days after filing the answer. Provided, however, that upon request by the agent or agency, or the owner of the property, the court may postpone the forfeiture hearing to a date past the time any criminal action is pending against such owner.

(2) If the owner of the property has filed a verified answer denying that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the burden is on the state to prove that the property is subject to forfeiture; however, if no answer had been filed by the owner of the property, the petition for forfeiture may be introduced into evidence and shall be prima facie evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture.

(3) At the hearing any claimant of any right, title or interest in the property may prove his lien, security interest or other interest in the nature of a security interest, to be bona fide and created without knowledge or consent that the property was to be used so as to cause the property to be subject to forfeiture.

(4) If it is found that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the judge shall forfeit the property to the agency which seized the property. If proof at the hearing discloses that the interest of any bona fide lienholder, secured party or other person holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest is greater than or equal to the present value of the property, the court shall order the property released to him. If such interest is less than the present value of the property and if the proof shows that the property is subject to forfeiture the court shall order the property forfeited to the agency.

(5) Upon a petition filed in the name of the state of Mississippi with the clerk of the circuit or county court of the county in which the seizure is made, the court having jurisdiction may order the property summarily forfeited except when lawful possession and title can be ascertained. If a person is found to have had lawful possession and title prior to seizure, the court shall order the property returned to the owner, if the owner so desires.