contraband
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Contraband
Any property that it is illegal to produce or possess. Smuggled goods that are imported into or exported from a country in violation of its laws.
Contraband confiscated by law enforcement authorities upon the arrest of a person for the crimes of production or possession of such goods will not be returned, regardless of the outcome of the prosecution.
contraband
CONTRABAND, mar. law. Its most extensive sense, means all commerce which is
carried on contrary to the laws of the state. This term is also used to
designate all kinds of merchandise which are used, or transported, against
the interdictions published by a ban or solemn cry.
2. The term is usually applied to that unlawful commerce which is so
carried on in time of war. Merlin, Repert. h.t. Commodities particularly
useful in war are contraband as arms, ammunition, horses, timber for ship
building, and every kind of naval stores. When articles come into use as
implements of war, which were before innocent, they may be declared to be
contraband. The greatest difficulty to decide what is contraband seems to
have occurred in the instance of provisions, which have not been held to be
universally contraband, though Vattel admits that they become so on certain
occasions, when there is an expectation of reducing an enemy by famine.
3. In modern times one of the principal criteria adopted by the courts
for the decision of the question, whether any particular cargo of provisions
be confiscable as contraband, is to examine whether those provisions be in a
rude or manufactured state; for all articles, in such examinations, are
treated with greater indulgence in their natural condition than when wrought
tip for the convenience of the enemy's immediate use. Iron, unwrought, is
therefore treated with indulgence, though anchors, and other instruments
fabricated out of it, are directly contraband. 1 Rob. Rep. 1 89. See Vattel,
b. 3, c. 7 Chitty's L. of Nat. 120; Marsh. Ins. 78; 2 Bro. Civ., Law, 311; 1
Kent. Com. 135; 3 Id. 215.
4. Contraband of war, is the act by which, in times of war, a neutral
vessel introduces, or attempts to introduce into the territory of, one of
the belligerent parties, arms, ammunition, or other effects intended for, or
which may serve, hostile operations. Merlin, Repert. h.t. 1 Kent, Com. 135;
Mann. Comm. B. 3, c. 7; 6 Mass. 102; 1 Wheat. 382; 1 Cowen, 56 John. Cas.
77, 120.