26 U.S.C. § 5609 — Destruction of unregistered stills, dis-

Page 3243 TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE § 5610 any distilled spirits, or fraudulently claims any greater allowance or drawback than the tax ac- tually paid or determined thereon, shall forfeit and pay to the Government of the United States triple the amount wrongfully and fraudulently sought to be obtained, and shall be imprisoned not more than 5 years; and every owner, agent, or master of any vessel or other person who knowingly aids or abets in the fraudulent collec- tion or fraudulent attempts to collect any draw- back upon, or knowingly aids or permits any fraudulent change in the spirits so shipped, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both, and the ship or ves- sel on board of which such shipment was made or pretended to be made shall be forfeited to the United States, whether a conviction of the mas- ter or owner be had or otherwise, and pro- ceedings may be had in admiralty by libel for such forfeiture. (b) Unlawful relanding Every person who, with intent to defraud the United States, relands within the jurisdiction of the United States any distilled spirits which have been shipped for exportation under the pro- visions of this chapter, or who receives such re- landed distilled spirits, and every person who aids or abets in such relanding or receiving of such spirits, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both; and all distilled spirits so relanded, together with the vessel from which the same were re- landed within the jurisdiction of the United States, and all vessels, vehicles, or aircraft used in relanding and removing such distilled spirits, shall be forfeited to the United States. (Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1403; amended Pub. L. 89–44, title VIII, § 805(e), June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 161.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 5608, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 685, related to penalty for making or fermenting mash on unauthorized premises, illegal use of spirits, unlawful removal of vinegar, etc., prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See sections 5505(i), 5601(a)(7), (8), (9)(A), (12), 5615(4), and 5687 of this title. Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior section 5648, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 694, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. AMENDMENTS 1965—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–44 substituted ‘‘, with in- tent to defraud the United States,’’ for ‘‘intentionally’’ after ‘‘Every person who’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1965 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 89–44 effective July 1, 1965, see section 805(g)(1) of Pub. L. 89–44, set out as a note under section 5008 of this title. § 5609. Destruction of unregistered stills, dis- tilling apparatus, equipment, and materials (a) General In the case of seizure elsewhere than on prem- ises qualified under this chapter of any unregis- tered still, distilling or fermenting equipment or apparatus, or distilling or fermenting material, for any offense involving forfeiture of the same, where it shall be impracticable to remove the same to a place of safe storage from the place where seized, the seizing officer is authorized to destroy the same. In the case of seizure, other than on premises qualified under this chapter or in transit thereto or therefrom, of any distilled spirits on which the tax has not been paid or de- termined, for any offense involving forfeiture of the same, the seizing officer is authorized to de- stroy the distilled spirits forthwith. Any de- struction under this subsection shall be in the presence of at least one credible witness. The seizing officer shall make such report of said sei- zure and destruction and take such samples as the Secretary may require. (b) Claims Within 1 year after destruction made pursuant to subsection (a) the owner of, including any person having an interest in, the property so de- stroyed may make application to the Secretary for reimbursement of the value of such property. If the claimant establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that— (1) such property had not been used in viola- tion of law; or (2) any unlawful use of such property had been without his consent or knowledge, the Secretary shall make an allowance to such claimant not exceeding the value of the prop- erty destroyed. (Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1403; amended Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 5609, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 685, related to penalty in connection to return of materials used in the manufacture of distilled spirits, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. See section 5605 of this title. Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior section 5623, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 687, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 85–859. AMENDMENTS 1976—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out ‘‘or his delegate’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever appearing. § 5610. Disposal of forfeited equipment and mate- rial for distilling All boilers, stills, or other vessels, tools and implements, used in distilling or processing, and forfeited under any of the provisions of this chapter, and all condemned material, together with any engine or other machinery connected therewith, and all empty barrels, and all grain or other material suitable for fermentation or distillation, shall be sold at public auction or otherwise disposed of as the court in which for- feiture was recovered shall in its discretion di- rect. (Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 201, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1404; amended Pub. L. 96–39, title VIII, § 807(a)(54), July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 289.)