45Return of things seized

45 Return of things seized (1) A thing seized under this part must be returned to its owner, or reasonable compensation must be paid by the Territory to the owner for the loss of the thing, if before the thing is forfeited to the Territory under section 46, the administrator— (a) becomes satisfied that there has been no offence against this Act with which the thing was connected; or (b) decides not to proceed in relation to an offence. (2) However, this section does not apply— (a) to a thing seized under section 36 (4) (which is about the seizure of things that pose a risk to the health or safety of people or of damage to property or the environment); or (b) to a thing if the administrator believes on reasonable grounds that the only practical use of the thing in relation to the premises where it was seized would be an offence against this Act; or (c) to a thing if possession of it by its owner would be an offence.

Section 46