58Return of seized things

58 Return of seized things

(1)  An authorised officer must return a seized thing to its owner, as soon as is reasonably practicable, once the authorised officer is satisfied that –

(a) it is lawful for the owner to have possession of the thing; and

(b) the continued retention of the thing in custody is not justified.

(2)  A requirement to return a seized thing to its owner includes a requirement to remove or lift any restrictions on an owner’s access to a seized thing.

(3)  This section does not apply if an authorised officer certifies in writing, in accordance with section 59 , that the authorised officer is unable to return the seized thing to its owner.