Section 16-15-5. Contraband; seizure and forfeiture

   (a) The following are declared to be contraband and no person shall have a property interest in them:

   (1) All property which is directly or indirectly used or intended for use in any manner to facilitate a violation of this chapter; and

   (2) Any property constituting or derived from gross profits or other proceeds obtained from a violation of this chapter.

(b) In any action under this Code section, the court may enter such restraining orders or take other appropriate action, including acceptance of performance bonds, in connection with any interest that is subject to forfeiture.

(c) Within 60 days of the date of the seizure of contraband pursuant to this Code section, the district attorney shall initiate a forfeiture proceeding as provided in Code Section 16-13-49. An owner or interest holder, as defined by subsection (a) of Code Section 16-13-49, may establish as a defense to the forfeiture of property which is subject to forfeiture under this Code section the applicable provisions of subsection (e) or (f) of Code Section 16-13-49. Property which is forfeited pursuant to this Code section shall be disposed of as provided in Code Section 16-13-49 and the proceeds of such disposition shall be paid to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for use in funding gang prevention projects.

Code 1981, § 16-15-5, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 3236, § 1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 91, § 16; Ga. L. 1998, p. 270, § 8.