A. All tobacco products upon which a tax is levied by Section 400 et seq. of this title and all tobacco products sold, offered for sale or imported into this state in violation of the provisions of Section 403.2 of this title, found in the possession, custody or control of any person for the purpose of being consumed, sold or transported from one place to another in this state, for the purpose of evading or violating the provisions of Section 400 et seq. of this title, or with intent to avoid payment of the tax imposed thereunder, and any vehicle being used in avoidance of such tax may be seized by any authorized agent of the Oklahoma Tax Commission or any sheriff, deputy sheriff or police within the state. Tobacco products from the time of seizure shall be forfeited to the State of Oklahoma. A proper proceeding shall be filed to maintain such seizure and prosecute the forfeiture as herein provided; the provisions of this section shall not apply, however, where the tax on such tobacco products does not exceed One Dollar ($1.00).
B. All such tobacco products so seized shall first be listed and appraised by the officer making such seizure and turned over to the Tax Commission and a receipt taken therefor.
C. The person making such seizure shall immediately make and file a written report thereof to the Tax Commission, showing the name of the person making such seizure, the place where seized, the person from whom seized, the property seized and an inventory and appraisement thereof, which inventory shall be based on the usual and ordinary retail price or value of the articles seized, and the Attorney General, in the case of tobacco products sold, offered for sale or imported into this state in violation of the provisions of Section 403.2 of this title. Within sixty (60) days of seizure, the person from whom the property was seized may file a request for hearing with the Tax Commission or the Attorney General to show why the seized property should not be forfeited and destroyed. If a hearing is requested, the owner of the tobacco products shall be given at least ten (10) days' notice of the hearing. If no request for hearing is filed within the time provided, the property seized will be forfeited and destroyed.
D. The seizure of such tobacco products shall not relieve the person from whom such tobacco products were seized from prosecution or the payment of penalties.
E. The forfeiture provisions of Section 400 et seq. of this title shall only apply to persons having possession of or transporting tobacco products with intent to barter, sell or give away the same.
Added by Laws 1965, c. 238, § 2, eff. July 1, 1965. Amended by Laws 1999, c. 162, § 5, eff. June 17, 1999; Laws 2008, c. 378, § 10, emerg. eff. June 4, 2008; Laws 2018, c. 66, § 6, eff. July 1, 2018; Laws 2021, c. 385, § 19, eff. July 1, 2021.