Retention of seized property; return to owner; disposition of alcoholic liquor.

Del. Code tit. 4, § 1105

in effect

All property seized and delivered into the possession of the Division shall be disposed of in the following manner: (1) The enforcement officers of the Division or the peace officers who seized the property shall give written notice to the person whom they reasonably believe to be the owner of the property, and to the person from whom the property was seized, if they reasonably believe such person is not the owner, that such person may within 10 days of the date of notice and upon proof, satisfactory to the Commissioner that such property had not been used in connection with any violation of any of the provisions of this title, or of the rules of the Commissioner or both, if so used, that the use was without the knowledge, acquiescence or consent of the rightful owner, the owner’s agent, employee or servant, return said property to the rightful owner. Any dispute between the enforcement personnel of the Division and the person believed to be the rightful owner or the person from whom the property was seized, shall be resolved by a hearing before the Commissioner. The Commissioner’s decision shall be final and conclusive unless any party, having appeared before the Commissioner, appeals to the Superior Court of the State within 10 days of the date of the written decision. (2) Any property seized pursuant to this chapter which consists of alcoholic liquor and its container may, after the provisions of paragraph (1) of this section have been complied with, be offered for sale to the licensed Delaware importers of alcoholic liquor at the prevailing price paid by the importers for like brands and quality. If the alcoholic liquor is distributed in this State by more than 1 licensed importer, then the Commissioner shall offer said seized alcoholic liquor to all importers who engage in the sale of such brand of alcoholic liquor. If the seized alcoholic liquor is purchased by a licensed Delaware importer, the importer shall issue to the Commissioner a voucher showing at least the following facts: (a) The date of the purchase; (b) The purchase price of each item purchased; and (c) The quantity and nature of the item purchased. At the subsequent direction of the Commissioner, the licensed Delaware importer which purchased the liquor shall: 1. If the owner of the alcoholic liquor or the person from whom the liquor was seized, if different from the person reasonably believed to be the owner, shall be found guilty of the offenses in violation of the Liquor Control Act or the rules of the Office of the Commissioner or both, issue its check payable to the Office of the Commissioner in the amount of the total purchase price shown on the voucher, which amount shall be applied by the Commissioner as provided in § 1110 of this title as proceeds of a sale authorized by order of court; or 2. If the owner of the alcoholic liquor and the person from whom the liquor was seized, if different from the person reasonably believed to be the owner, shall be acquitted of the offenses alleged to have been in violation of the Liquor Control Act or the rules of the Commissioner, or both, issue its check payable to such person, or, at such person’s election, deliver alcoholic liquor of the same or similar nature and quantity described in the voucher to such person. 3. The enforcement officers of the Division with the advice of other peace officers of this State and/or the Department of Justice may retain all or part of the alcoholic liquor and its containers seized for use as evidence for as long a period as they deem necessary. Thereafter it may be disposed of pursuant to this chapter. 4. All other such seized property shall be disposed of as is provided in this chapter.

Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title4/c011/index.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026