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21 U.S.C. § 853 — Criminal forfeitures
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 860
TITLE 21—FOOD AND DRUGS
§ 852
which occurred more than five years before the
date of the information alleging such prior con-
viction.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 411, Oct. 27, 1970, 84
Stat. 1269.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on first day of seventh calendar
month that begins after Oct. 26, 1970, see section 704 of
Pub. L. 91–513, set out as a note under section 801 of
this title.
§ 852. Application of treaties and other inter-
national agreements
Nothing in the Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, the Convention on Psychotropic Sub-
stances, or other treaties or international agree-
ments shall be construed to limit the provision
of treatment, education, or rehabilitation as al-
ternatives to conviction or criminal penalty for
offenses involving any drug or other substance
subject to control under any such treaty or
agreement.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 412, as added Pub. L.
95–633, title I, § 107(a), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3773.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on date the Convention on Psycho-
tropic Substances enters into force in the United
States [July 15, 1980], see section 112 of Pub. L. 95–633,
set out as a note under section 801a of this title.
§ 853. Criminal forfeitures
(a) Property subject to criminal forfeiture
Any person convicted of a violation of this
subchapter or subchapter II punishable by im-
prisonment for more than one year shall forfeit
to the United States, irrespective of any provi-
sion of State law—
(1) any property constituting, or derived
from, any proceeds the person obtained, di-
rectly or indirectly, as the result of such vio-
lation;
(2) any of the person’s property used, or in-
tended to be used, in any mann
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Page 860
TITLE 21—FOOD AND DRUGS
§ 852
which occurred more than five years before the
date of the information alleging such prior con-
viction.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 411, Oct. 27, 1970, 84
Stat. 1269.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on first day of seventh calendar
month that begins after Oct. 26, 1970, see section 704 of
Pub. L. 91–513, set out as a note under section 801 of
this title.
§ 852. Application of treaties and other inter-
national agreements
Nothing in the Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, the Convention on Psychotropic Sub-
stances, or other treaties or international agree-
ments shall be construed to limit the provision
of treatment, education, or rehabilitation as al-
ternatives to conviction or criminal penalty for
offenses involving any drug or other substance
subject to control under any such treaty or
agreement.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 412, as added Pub. L.
95–633, title I, § 107(a), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3773.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on date the Convention on Psycho-
tropic Substances enters into force in the United
States [July 15, 1980], see section 112 of Pub. L. 95–633,
set out as a note under section 801a of this title.
§ 853. Criminal forfeitures
(a) Property subject to criminal forfeiture
Any person convicted of a violation of this
subchapter or subchapter II punishable by im-
prisonment for more than one year shall forfeit
to the United States, irrespective of any provi-
sion of State law—
(1) any property constituting, or derived
from, any proceeds the person obtained, di-
rectly or indirectly, as the result of such vio-
lation;
(2) any of the person’s property used, or in-
tended to be used, in any manner or part, to
commit, or to facilitate the commission of,
such violation; and
(3) in the case of a person convicted of en-
gaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in
violation of section 848 of this title, the person
shall forfeit, in addition to any property de-
scribed in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his inter-
est in, claims against, and property or con-
tractual rights affording a source of control
over, the continuing criminal enterprise.
The court, in imposing sentence on such person,
shall order, in addition to any other sentence
imposed pursuant to this subchapter or sub-
chapter II, that the person forfeit to the United
States all property described in this subsection.
In lieu of a fine otherwise authorized by this
part, a defendant who derives profits or other
proceeds from an offense may be fined not more
than twice the gross profits or other proceeds.
(b) Meaning of term ‘‘property’’
Property subject to criminal forfeiture under
this section includes—
(1) real property, including things growing
on, affixed to, and found in land; and
(2) tangible and intangible personal prop-
erty, including rights, privileges, interests,
claims, and securities.
(c) Third party transfers
All right, title, and interest in property de-
scribed in subsection (a) vests in the United
States upon the commission of the act giving
rise to forfeiture under this section. Any such
property that is subsequently transferred to a
person other than the defendant may be the sub-
ject of a special verdict of forfeiture and there-
after shall be ordered forfeited to the United
States, unless the transferee establishes in a
hearing pursuant to subsection (n) that he is a
bona fide purchaser for value of such property
who at the time of purchase was reasonably
without cause to believe that the property was
subject to forfeiture under this section.
(d) Rebuttable presumption
There is a rebuttable presumption at trial that
any property of a person convicted of a felony
under this subchapter or subchapter II is subject
to forfeiture under this section if the United
States establishes by a preponderance of the evi-
dence that—
(1) such property was acquired by such per-
son during the period of the violation of this
subchapter or subchapter II or within a rea-
sonable time after such period; and
(2) there was no likely source for such prop-
erty other than the violation of this sub-
chapter or subchapter II.
(e) Protective orders
(1) Upon application of the United States, the
court may enter a restraining order or injunc-
tion, require the execution of a satisfactory per-
formance bond, or take any other action to pre-
serve the availability of property described in
subsection (a) for forfeiture under this section—
(A) upon the filing of an indictment or infor-
mation charging a violation of this subchapter
or subchapter II for which criminal forfeiture
may be ordered under this section and alleging
that the property with respect to which the
order is sought would, in the event of convic-
tion, be subject to forfeiture under this sec-
tion; or
(B) prior to the filing of such an indictment
or information, if, after notice to persons ap-
pearing to have an interest in the property
and opportunity for a hearing, the court deter-
mines that—
(i) there is a substantial probability that
the United States will prevail on the issue of
forfeiture and that failure to enter the order
will result in the property being destroyed,
removed from the jurisdiction of the court,
or otherwise made unavailable for forfeiture;
and
(ii) the need to preserve the availability of
the property through the entry of the re-
quested order outweighs the hardship on any
party against whom the order is to be en-
tered:
Provided, however, That an order entered pursu-
ant to subparagraph (B) shall be effective for not
more than ninety days, unless extended by the
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TITLE 21—FOOD AND DRUGS
§ 853
court for good cause shown or unless an indict-
ment or information described in subparagraph
(A) has been filed.
(2) A temporary restraining order under this
subsection may be entered upon application of
the United States without notice or opportunity
for a hearing when an information or indictment
has not yet been filed with respect to the prop-
erty, if the United States demonstrates that
there is probable cause to believe that the prop-
erty with respect to which the order is sought
would, in the event of conviction, be subject to
forfeiture under this section and that provision
of notice will jeopardize the availability of the
property for forfeiture. Such a temporary order
shall expire not more than fourteen days after
the date on which it is entered, unless extended
for good cause shown or unless the party against
whom it is entered consents to an extension for
a longer period. A hearing requested concerning
an order entered under this paragraph shall be
held at the earliest possible time and prior to
the expiration of the temporary order.
(3) The court may receive and consider, at a
hearing held pursuant to this subsection, evi-
dence and information that would be inadmis-
sible under the Federal Rules of Evidence.
(4) ORDER TO REPATRIATE AND DEPOSIT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to its authority
to enter a pretrial restraining order under this
section, the court may order a defendant to re-
patriate any property that may be seized and
forfeited, and to deposit that property pending
trial in the registry of the court, or with the
United States Marshals Service or the Sec-
retary of the Treasury, in an interest-bearing
account, if appropriate.
(B) FAILURE TO COMPLY.—Failure to comply
with an order under this subsection, or an
order to repatriate property under subsection
(p), shall be punishable as a civil or criminal
contempt of court, and may also result in an
enhancement of the sentence of the defendant
under the obstruction of justice provision of
the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
(f) Warrant of seizure
The Government may request the issuance of
a warrant authorizing the seizure of property
subject to forfeiture under this section in the
same manner as provided for a search warrant.
If the court determines that there is probable
cause to believe that the property to be seized
would, in the event of conviction, be subject to
forfeiture and that an order under subsection (e)
may not be sufficient to assure the availability
of the property for forfeiture, the court shall
issue a warrant authorizing the seizure of such
property.
(g) Execution
Upon entry of an order of forfeiture under this
section, the court shall authorize the Attorney
General to seize all property ordered forfeited
upon such terms and conditions as the court
shall deem proper. Following entry of an order
declaring the property forfeited, the court may,
upon application of the United States, enter
such appropriate restraining orders or injunc-
tions, require the execution of satisfactory per-
formance bonds, appoint receivers, conservators,
appraisers, accountants, or trustees, or take any
other action to protect the interest of the
United States in the property ordered forfeited.
Any income accruing to or derived from prop-
erty ordered forfeited under this section may be
used to offset ordinary and necessary expenses
to the property which are required by law, or
which are necessary to protect the interests of
the United States or third parties.
(h) Disposition of property
Following the seizure of property ordered for-
feited under this section, the Attorney General
shall direct the disposition of the property by
sale or any other commercially feasible means,
making due provision for the rights of any inno-
cent persons. Any property right or interest not
exercisable by, or transferable for value to, the
United States shall expire and shall not revert
to the defendant, nor shall the defendant or any
person acting in concert with him or on his be-
half be eligible to purchase forfeited property at
any sale held by the United States. Upon appli-
cation of a person, other than the defendant or
a person acting in concert with him or on his be-
half, the court may restrain or stay the sale or
disposition of the property pending the conclu-
sion of any appeal of the criminal case giving
rise to the forfeiture, if the applicant dem-
onstrates that proceeding with the sale or dis-
position of the property will result in irrep-
arable injury, harm, or loss to him.
(i) Authority of the Attorney General
With respect to property ordered forfeited
under this section, the Attorney General is au-
thorized to—
(1) grant petitions for mitigation or remis-
sion of forfeiture, restore forfeited property to
victims of a violation of this subchapter, or
take any other action to protect the rights of
innocent persons which is in the interest of
justice and which is not inconsistent with the
provisions of this section;
(2) compromise claims arising under this
section;
(3) award compensation to persons providing
information resulting in a forfeiture under
this section;
(4) direct the disposition by the United
States, in accordance with the provisions of
section 881(e) of this title, of all property or-
dered forfeited under this section by public
sale or any other commercially feasible
means, making due provision for the rights of
innocent persons; and
(5) take appropriate measures necessary to
safeguard and maintain property ordered for-
feited under this section pending its disposi-
tion.
(j) Applicability of civil forfeiture provisions
Except to the extent that they are incon-
sistent with the provisions of this section, the
provisions of section 881(d) of this title shall
apply to a criminal forfeiture under this section.
(k) Bar on intervention
Except as provided in subsection (n), no party
claiming an interest in property subject to for-
feiture under this section may—
(1) intervene in a trial or appeal of a crimi-
nal case involving the forfeiture of such prop-
erty under this section; or
Page 862
TITLE 21—FOOD AND DRUGS
§ 853
(2) commence an action at law or equity
against the United States concerning the va-
lidity of his alleged interest in the property
subsequent to the filing of an indictment or
information alleging that the property is sub-
ject to forfeiture under this section.
(l) Jurisdiction to enter orders
The district courts of the United States shall
have jurisdiction to enter orders as provided in
this section without regard to the location of
any property which may be subject to forfeiture
under this section or which has been ordered for-
feited under this section.
(m) Depositions
In order to facilitate the identification and lo-
cation of property declared forfeited and to fa-
cilitate the disposition of petitions for remission
or mitigation of forfeiture, after the entry of an
order declaring property forfeited to the United
States, the court may, upon application of the
United States, order that the testimony of any
witness relating to the property forfeited be
taken by deposition and that any designated
book, paper, document, record, recording, or
other material not privileged be produced at the
same time and place, in the same manner as pro-
vided for the taking of depositions under Rule 15
of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(n) Third party interests
(1) Following the entry of an order of for-
feiture under this section, the United States
shall publish notice of the order and of its intent
to dispose of the property in such manner as the
Attorney General may direct. The Government
may also, to the extent practicable, provide di-
rect written notice to any person known to have
alleged an interest in the property that is the
subject of the order of forfeiture as a substitute
for published notice as to those persons so noti-
fied.
(2) Any person, other than the defendant, as-
serting a legal interest in property which has
been ordered forfeited to the United States pur-
suant to this section may, within thirty days of
the final publication of notice or his receipt of
notice under paragraph (1), whichever is earlier,
petition the court for a hearing to adjudicate
the validity of his alleged interest in the prop-
erty. The hearing shall be held before the court
alone, without a jury.
(3) The petition shall be signed by the peti-
tioner under penalty of perjury and shall set
forth the nature and extent of the petitioner’s
right, title, or interest in the property, the time
and circumstances of the petitioner’s acquisi-
tion of the right, title, or interest in the prop-
erty, any additional facts supporting the peti-
tioner’s claim, and the relief sought.
(4) The hearing on the petition shall, to the ex-
tent practicable and consistent with the inter-
ests of justice, be held within thirty days of the
filing of the petition. The court may consolidate
the hearing on the petition with a hearing on
any other petition filed by a person other than
the defendant under this subsection.
(5) At the hearing, the petitioner may testify
and present evidence and witnesses on his own
behalf, and cross-examine witnesses who appear
at the hearing. The United States may present
evidence and witnesses in rebuttal and in de-
fense of its claim to the property and cross-ex-
amine witnesses who appear at the hearing. In
addition to testimony and evidence presented at
the hearing, the court shall consider the rel-
evant portions of the record of the criminal case
which resulted in the order of forfeiture.
(6) If, after the hearing, the court determines
that the petitioner has established by a prepon-
derance of the evidence that—
(A) the petitioner has a legal right, title, or
interest in the property, and such right, title,
or interest renders the order of forfeiture in-
valid in whole or in part because the right,
title, or interest was vested in the petitioner
rather than the defendant or was superior to
any right, title, or interest of the defendant at
the time of the commission of the acts which
gave rise to the forfeiture of the property
under this section; or
(B) the petitioner is a bona fide purchaser
for value of the right, title, or interest in the
property and was at the time of purchase rea-
sonably without cause to believe that the
property was subject to forfeiture under this
section;
the court shall amend the order of forfeiture in
accordance with its determination.
(7) Following the court’s disposition of all pe-
titions filed under this subsection, or if no such
petitions are filed following the expiration of
the period provided in paragraph (2) for the fil-
ing of such petitions, the United States shall
have clear title to property that is the subject of
the order of forfeiture and may warrant good
title to any subsequent purchaser or transferee.
(o) Construction
The provisions of this section shall be lib-
erally construed to effectuate its remedial pur-
poses.
(p) Forfeiture of substitute property
(1) In general
Paragraph (2) of this subsection shall apply,
if any property described in subsection (a), as
a result of any act or omission of the defend-
ant—
(A) cannot be located upon the exercise of
due diligence;
(B) has been transferred or sold to, or de-
posited with, a third party;
(C) has been placed beyond the jurisdiction
of the court;
(D) has been substantially diminished in
value; or
(E) has been commingled with other prop-
erty which cannot be divided without dif-
ficulty.
(2) Substitute property
In any case described in any of subpara-
graphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), the
court shall order the forfeiture of any other
property of the defendant, up to the value of
any property described in subparagraphs (A)
through (E) of paragraph (1), as applicable.
(3) Return of property to jurisdiction
In the case of property described in para-
graph (1)(C), the court may, in addition to any
other action authorized by this subsection,
Page 863
TITLE 21—FOOD AND DRUGS
§ 853
order the defendant to return the property to
the jurisdiction of the court so that the prop-
erty may be seized and forfeited.
(q) Restitution for cleanup of clandestine labora-
tory sites
The court, when sentencing a defendant con-
victed of an offense under this subchapter or
subchapter II involving the manufacture, the
possession, or the possession with intent to dis-
tribute, of amphetamine or methamphetamine,
shall—
(1) order restitution as provided in sections
3612 and 3664 of title 18;
(2) order the defendant to reimburse the
United States, the State or local government
concerned, or both the United States and the
State or local government concerned for the
costs incurred by the United States or the
State or local government concerned, as the
case may be, for the cleanup associated with
the manufacture of amphetamine or meth-
amphetamine by the defendant, or on premises
or in property that the defendant owns, re-
sides, or does business in; and
(3) order restitution to any person injured as
a result of the offense as provided in section
3663A of title 18.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 413, as added and
amended Pub. L. 98–473, title II, §§ 303, 2301(d)–(f),
Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2044, 2192, 2193; Pub. L.
99–570, title I, §§ 1153(b), 1864, Oct. 27, 1986, 100
Stat. 3207–13, 3207–54; Pub. L. 104–237, title II,
§ 207, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3104; Pub. L. 106–310,
div. B, title XXXVI, § 3613(a), Oct. 17, 2000, 114
Stat. 1229; Pub. L. 107–56, title III, § 319(d), Oct.
26, 2001, 115 Stat. 314; Pub. L. 109–177, title VII,
§ 743(a), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 272; Pub. L. 111–16,
§ 5, May 7, 2009, 123 Stat. 1608.)
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Federal Rules of Evidence, referred to in subsec.
(e)(3), are set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary
and Judicial Procedure.
The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to
in subsec. (m), are set out in the Appendix to Title 18,
Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
AMENDMENTS
2009—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 111–16 substituted ‘‘four-
teen days’’ for ‘‘ten days’’.
2006—Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 109–177, § 743(a)(1), inserted
‘‘, the possession, or the possession with intent to dis-
tribute,’’ after ‘‘manufacture’’ in introductory provi-
sions.
Subsec. (q)(2). Pub. L. 109–177, § 743(a)(2), inserted
‘‘, or on premises or in property that the defendant
owns, resides, or does business in’’ after ‘‘by the defend-
ant’’.
2001—Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 107–56, § 319(d)(2), added
par. (4).
Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 107–56, § 319(d)(1), inserted heading
and amended text of subsec. (p) generally. Prior to
amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘If any of the prop-
erty described in subsection (a) of this section, as a re-
sult of any act or omission of the defendant—
‘‘(1) cannot be located upon the exercise of due dili-
gence;
‘‘(2) has been transferred or sold to, or deposited
with, a third party;
‘‘(3) has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the
court;
‘‘(4) has been substantially diminished in value; or
‘‘(5) has been commingled with other property
which cannot be divided without difficulty;
the court shall order the forfeiture of any other prop-
erty of the defendant up to the value of any property
described in paragraphs (1) through (5).’’
2000—Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3613(a)(1), (2), in in-
troductory provisions, inserted ‘‘amphetamine or’’ be-
fore ‘‘methamphetamine’’ and substituted ‘‘shall’’ for
‘‘may’’.
Subsec. (q)(2). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3613(a)(2), (3), inserted
‘‘, the State or local government concerned, or both
the United States and the State or local government
concerned’’ after ‘‘to reimburse the United States’’, ‘‘or
the State or local government concerned, as the case
may be,’’ after ‘‘costs incurred by the United States’’,
and ‘‘amphetamine or’’ before ‘‘methamphetamine’’.
Subsec. (q)(3). Pub. L. 106–310, § 3613(a)(4), substituted
‘‘section 3663A of title 18’’ for ‘‘section 3663 of title 18’’.
1996—Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 104–237 added subsec. (q).
1986—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1864(1), substituted
‘‘subsection (n)’’ for ‘‘subsection (o)’’.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1864(2), substituted ‘‘sub-
section (e)’’ for ‘‘subsection (f)’’.
Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1864(3), substituted
‘‘this subchapter’’ for ‘‘this chapter’’.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1864(1), (4), which di-
rected the substitution of ‘‘subsection (n)’’ for ‘‘sub-
section (o)’’ in ‘‘the second subsection (h)’’, and di-
rected the redesignation of ‘‘the second subsection (h)’’
as subsection (k), were executed to this subsection be-
cause the ‘‘second subsection (h)’’ had been editorially
redesignated subsec. (k) to reflect the probable intent
of Congress. See 1984 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1153(b), which directed
that ‘‘section 413 of title II of the Comprehensive Drug
Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1975’’ be amended
‘‘by redesignating subsection ‘(p)’ as subsection ‘(q)’ ’’
and adding subsec. (p) was executed to this section,
which is section 413 of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control Act of 1970, as the probable in-
tent of Congress, by adding a subsec. (p) in view of the
prior redesignation of subsec. (p) as (o) by Pub. L.
98–473, § 2301(e)(2). See 1984 Amendment note below.
1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–473, § 2301(d), inserted ‘‘In
lieu of a fine otherwise authorized by this part, a de-
fendant who derives profits or other proceeds from an
offense may be fined not more than twice the gross
profits or other proceeds.’’
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–473, § 2301(e), struck out subsec.
(d) which related to forfeiture of property other than
that described in subsec. (a) and the conditions there-
for, and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (d).
Subsecs. (e) to (p). Pub. L. 98–473, § 2301(e)(2), which
directed that this section be amended by redesignating
subsecs. (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (l), (m), (n), (o), and (p) as
subsecs. (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (h), (l), (m), (n), and
(o), respectively, was executed by redesignating sub-
secs. (e) to (p) as (d) to (o), respectively, to give effect
to the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (n)(1). Pub. L. 98–473, § 2301(f), struck out ‘‘for
at least seven successive court days’’ after ‘‘to dispose
of the property’’.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–16 effective Dec. 1, 2009,
see section 7 of Pub. L. 111–16, set out as a note under
section 109 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.
SAVINGS CLAUSE
Pub. L. 109–177, title VII, § 743(b), Mar. 9, 2006, 120
Stat. 273, provided that: ‘‘Nothing in this section
[amending this section] shall be interpreted or con-
strued to amend, alter, or otherwise affect the obliga-
tions, liabilities and other responsibilities of any per-
son under any Federal or State environmental laws.’’
Page 864
TITLE 21—FOOD AND DRUGS
§ 853a
§ 853a. Transferred
Editorial Notes
CODIFICATION
Section, Pub. L. 100–690, title V, § 5301, Nov. 18, 1988,
102 Stat. 4310, which related to denial of Federal bene-
fits to drug traffickers and possessors, was renumbered
section 421 of the Controlled Substances Act by Pub. L.
101–647, title X, § 1002(d)(1), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4827,
and is classified to section 862 of this title.
§ 854. Investment of illicit drug profits
(a) Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for any person who has re-
ceived any income derived, directly or indi-
rectly, from a violation of this subchapter or
subchapter II punishable by imprisonment for
more than one year in which such person has
participated as a principal within the meaning
of section 2 of title 18, to use or invest, directly
or indirectly, any part of such income, or the
proceeds of such income, in acquisition of any
interest in, or the establishment or operation of,
any enterprise which is engaged in, or the ac-
tivities of which affect interstate or foreign
commerce. A purchase of securities on the open
market for purposes of investment, and without
the intention of controlling or participating in
the control of the issuer, or of assisting another
to do so, shall not be unlawful under this section
if the securities of the issuer held by the pur-
chaser, the members of his immediate family,
and his or their accomplices in any violation of
this subchapter or subchapter II after such pur-
chase do not amount in the aggregate to 1 per
centum of the outstanding securities of any one
class, and do not confer, either in law or in fact,
the power to elect one or more directors of the
issuer.
(b) Penalty
Whoever violates this section shall be fined
not more than $50,000 or imprisoned not more
than ten years, or both.
(c) ‘‘Enterprise’’ defined
As used in this section, the term ‘‘enterprise’’
includes any individual, partnership, corpora-
tion, association, or other legal entity, and any
union or group of individuals associated in fact
although not a legal entity.
(d) Construction
The provisions of this section shall be lib-
erally construed to effectuate its remedial pur-
poses.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 414, as added Pub. L.
98–473, title II, § 303, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2049.)
§ 855. Alternative fine
In lieu of a fine otherwise authorized by this
part, a defendant who derives profits or other
proceeds from an offense may be fined not more
than twice the gross profits or other proceeds.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 415, as added Pub. L.
98–473, title II, § 2302, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2193.)
§ 856. Maintaining drug-involved premises
(a) Unlawful acts
Except as authorized by this subchapter, it
shall be unlawful to—
(1) knowingly open, lease, rent, use, or main-
tain any place, whether permanently or tem-
porarily, for the purpose of manufacturing,
distributing, or using any controlled sub-
stance;
(2) manage or control any place, whether
permanently or temporarily, either as an
owner, lessee, agent, employee, occupant, or
mortgagee, and knowingly and intentionally
rent, lease, profit from, or make available for
use, with or without compensation, the place
for the purpose of unlawfully manufacturing,
storing, distributing, or using a controlled
substance.
(b) Criminal penalties
Any person who violates subsection (a) of this
section shall be sentenced to a term of imprison-
ment of not more than 20 years or a fine of not
more than $500,000, or both, or a fine of $2,000,000
for a person other than an individual.
(c) Violation as offense against property
A violation of subsection (a) shall be consid-
ered an offense against property for purposes of
section 3663A(c)(1)(A)(ii) of title 18.
(d) Civil penalties
(1) Any person who violates subsection (a)
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more
than the greater of—
(A) $250,000; or
(B) 2 times the gross receipts, either known
or estimated, that were derived from each vio-
lation that is attributable to the person.
(2) If a civil penalty is calculated under para-
graph (1)(B), and there is more than 1 defendant,
the court may apportion the penalty between
multiple violators, but each violator shall be
jointly and severally liable for the civil penalty
under this subsection.
(e) Declaratory and injunctive remedies
Any person who violates subsection (a) shall
be subject to declaratory and injunctive rem-
edies as set forth in section 843(f) of this title.
(Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 416, as added Pub. L.
99–570, title I, § 1841(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat.
3207–52; amended Pub. L. 106–310, div. B, title
XXXVI, § 3613(e), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1230; Pub.
L. 108–21, title VI, § 608(b)(1), (2), (c), Apr. 30, 2003,
117 Stat. 691.)
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
2003—Pub. L. 108–21, § 608(b)(2), substituted ‘‘Main-
taining drug-involved premises’’ for ‘‘Establishment of
manufacturing operations’’ in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–21, § 608(b)(1)(A), sub-
stituted ‘‘open, lease, rent, use, or maintain any place,
whether permanently or temporarily,’’ for ‘‘open or
maintain any place’’.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–21, § 608(b)(1)(B), added par.
(2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows:
‘‘manage or control any building, room, or enclosure,
either as an owner, lessee, agent, employee, or mort-
gagee, and knowingly and intentionally rent, lease, or
make available for use, with or without compensation,
the building, room, or enclosure for the purpose of un-
lawfully manufacturing, storing, distributing, or using
a controlled substance.’’
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 108–21, § 608(c), added subsecs.
(d) and (e).
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Property subject to criminal forfeiture** Any person convicted of a violation of this subchapter or subchapter II punishable by imprisonment for more than one year shall forfeit to the United States, irrespective of any provision of State law—
(1) any property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds the person obtained, directly or indirectly, as the result of such violation;
(2) any of the person’s property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of, such violation; and
(3) in the case of a person convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in violation of [section 848 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title21-section848&num=0&edition=prelim), the person shall forfeit, in addition to any property described in paragraph (1) or (2), any of his interest in, claims against, and property or contractual rights affording a source of control over, the continuing criminal enterprise.
The court, in imposing sentence on such person, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed pursuant to this subchapter or subchapter II, that the person forfeit to the United States all property described in this subsection. In lieu of a fine otherwise authorized by this part, a defendant who derives profits or other proceeds from an offense may be fined not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds.
**(b) Meaning of term “property”** Property subject to criminal forfeiture under this section includes—
(1) real property, including things growing on, affixed to, and found in land; and
(2) tangible and intangible personal property, including rights, privileges, interests, claims, and securities.
**(c) Third party transfers** All right, title, and inter
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 21 U.S.C. § 853
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.