- (b) calling upon the owner of the prohibited article to submit to the Director a claim in respect of it within thirty days; and
- (c) stating his intention to apply to a magistrate at the expiration of thirty days from the date of the notice for an order that the prohibited article be forfeited to the Crown.
(4) When a claim to ownership of a prohibited article is submitted to the Director pursuant to a notice given under subsection (3), the claimant shall produce to the Director or an authorized officer such evidence as to his ownership as may be required by the Director or authorized officer.
(5) Without prejudice to any provision of this Ordinance relating to the seizure of any article which is liable to forfeiture, the Director or an authorized officer may, if he is satisfied of the validity of a claim made under subsection (4), authorize in writing the claimant to remove the prohibited article from the place in which it was stored, subject to the prior payment by the claimant of all storage and other charges which have accrued in respect of the storage of the article in the specified place.
(6) A magistrate shall, if satisfied that the provisions of this section have been complied with and that no claim to ownership has been established, on the application of the Director or an authorized officer, order that a prohibited article be forfeited to the Crown.
PART IV.
Unmanifested Cargo and Smuggling.
Alteration of vessel, aircraft or vehicle for the purpose of smuggling. 14. (1) Any person who alters the fittings, fabric or structure of any vessel, aircraft or vehicle for the purpose of smuggling and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars any article into or out of Hong Kong shall be guilty of an offence and to imprisonment for six months.
(2) If—
- (a) the Director, any authorized officer or any member of the Preventive Service reasonably suspects that any to be used for the purpose of smuggling; and vessel, aircraft or vehicle has been used or is intended
- (b) the vessel, aircraft or vehicle is found in Hong Kong to have—
- (i) any false bulkhead, bow, side or bottom;
- (ii) any secret or disguised place adapted for the purpose of concealing any article; or
