2016 Tennessee Code
Title 57 - Intoxicating Liquors
Chapter 3 - Local Option--Traffic in Intoxicating Liquors
Part 4 - Prohibited Acts -- Enforcement
§ 57-3-411. Contraband goods -- Property subject to seizure and sale.

(a) All alcoholic beverages as defined in § 57-3-101 which are or shall be owned or possessed by any person in avoidance, evasion or violation of any of the provisions of this chapter are declared to be contraband goods, and the same may be seized by the alcoholic beverage commission, or any duly authorized representative, agent or employee of the commission, without a warrant, and such goods shall be delivered to the commission for sale at public auction to the highest bidder after due advertisement. The proceeds of all such seizures shall be paid by the commission into the state treasury, and ten percent (10%) of such proceeds shall be set aside as expenses for the administration of this section.

(b) Any vehicle, not a common carrier, which may be used for transportation for the purpose of distribution, gift or sale of untaxed alcoholic beverages shall likewise be subject to confiscation and sale, in the same manner as above provided. Should any alcoholic beverages in excess of five gallons (5 gals.) be found in any vehicle without receipts or other prescribed documents demonstrating that the tax under this chapter has been paid, the same shall be prima facie evidence that it was there for gift, sale or distribution.

(c) In all cases of seizure of any alcoholic beverages, or other property subject to forfeiture under this chapter, the officer or other person making the seizure shall proceed as follows:

(1) The officer or other person shall deliver to the person, if any, found in possession of such property, a receipt, showing a general description of the seized goods. A copy of the receipt shall be filed in the office of the commission and shall be open to the public for inspection;

(2) All such property seized and confiscated under this chapter shall be sold at public sale by the commissioner of general services when the same has been turned over to the commissioner by the commission as now authorized by law;

(3) Any person claiming any property so seized as contraband may within ten (10) days from the date of seizure, file with the commission at Nashville a claim in writing, requesting a hearing and stating the person's interest in the articles seized. The commission shall set a date for hearing within ten (10) days from the day the claim is filed. Any decision of the commission adverse to any claimant may be reviewed in the manner now provided by law for the review of actions of boards or commissions as prescribed by title 27, chapter 9;

(A) In the event the ruling of the commission is favorable to the claimant, the commission shall deliver to the claimant the alcoholic beverages or other property so seized. If the ruling of the commission is adverse to the claimant, the commission shall proceed to sell such contraband goods in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section, unless the claimant shall secure a supersedeas under § 27-9-106, or unless the claimant shall give a bond under subdivision (c)(3)(B).

(B) When the ruling of the commission is adverse to the claimant, the alcoholic beverages or property so seized shall be delivered to the claimant. Such claimant shall give a bond payable to the state of Tennessee in an amount double the value of the property seized, with sureties approved by the commission. The condition of the bond shall be that the obligors shall pay to the state, through the commission, the full value of the goods or property seized, unless upon certiorari the decision of the commission shall be reversed and the right of the claimant to such property is judicially determined.

(C) If no claim is interposed, such alcoholic beverages or other property shall be forfeited without further proceedings and the same shall be sold as herein provided. The above procedure is the sole remedy of any claimant, and no court shall have jurisdiction to interfere therewith by replevin, injunction or in any other manner.

(d) If, incidental to a confiscation of contraband as defined herein, there is discovered any beer as defined in § 57-5-101(b) deemed to be held or transported illegally within the purview of § 57-5-409, or any tobacco products deemed to be held or transported illegally within the purview of § 67-4-1020, the confiscating officer is hereby empowered and required to seize such beer or tobacco, notwithstanding the fact that such officer may not otherwise be empowered to take such action under § 57-5-409 or § 67-4-1020. Any beer or tobacco seized pursuant hereto shall be delivered promptly as provided by § 57-5-409 or § 67-4-1020, whichever is appropriate, to the department of revenue for sale or disposition as contraband in accordance with chapter 5 of this title or title 67, chapter 4, part 10, whichever is appropriate.