Criminal Code (Cap. 9), article 671

671. (1) Saving the provisions of sub-article (2), where the Comptroller of Customs certifies that any property in the custo dy of the registrar is property which may not be imported into Mal ta the registrar shall apply to the competent criminal court and r equest it to order the disposal of the said property. The court shall allow the application where it is satisfied that the property in ques tion is in Malta in contravention of the law. (2) Where the property certified by the Comptroller of Customs as provided in sub-article (1) is property which has been exhib ited as evidence in the course of criminal proceedings which have no t been finally determined, the application by the registrar shall be served on the party charged or accused and on the Attorney Gene ral or the Commissioner of Police as the case may be for their submissions and the court shall not allow the application unles s it is satisfied that the property itself is not or is no longer ne cessary as evidence in the proceedings. (3) Where the court has ordered the disposal of the property in accordance with the provisions of this article the registrar sh all dispose of such property by destroying it provided that the Min ister responsible for justice may order that the property is to be di sposed of in any other manner whatsoever for special reasons to be expressly stated in the order. Property exhibited in certain proceedings. Substituted by: III.2002.155. Amended by: VII.2022.68. Cap. 37. Cap. 382. Cap. 233.