Opinion ID: 433470
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: exclusion of evidence of drug trafficking and forfeitability of the higgins.

Text: 65 The GRANT argues that the judge's refusal to admit evidence and denial of motions to reopen the trial to take additional testimony regarding alleged drug violations by the HIGGINS was erroneous as a matter of law, and was also an abuse of discretion. The GRANT's theory is that if the HIGGINS was carrying marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 801 et seq., she was forfeit to the United States under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 881(a)(4). Such forfeiture, the GRANT contends, was unconditional, automatic, and took place at the moment of violation. Therefore, says the GRANT, Western Pacific Fisheries and the underwriters lost their rights in the HIGGINS and had no standing to sue for damages. 66 This argument is without merit, for exactly the reasons stated by Judge Patel in her order denying the motion for a new trial. (ER 80, 83) There is clear authority that when the government initiates forfeiture proceedings, the forfeiture relates back to the time of the violation. However, the forfeiture must be consummated by a judgment or decree of a court. Ivers v. United States, 9 Cir., 1978, 581 F.2d 1362, 1367; United States v. Stowell, 1890, 133 U.S. 1, 16-17, 10 S.Ct. 244, 247, 33 L.Ed. 555; Confiscation Cases, 1868, 74 U.S. (7 Wall.) 454, 460-61, 19 L.Ed. 196. See, e.g., United States v. One 56-Foot Yacht Named the TAHUNA, 9 Cir., 1983, 702 F.2d 1276, 1279: The government's legal title is not established until after it has complied with the forfeiture procedures mandated by statute. 67 Here, the government has not initiated forfeiture proceedings and there is no suggestion it will do so. The statute of limitations will run in December, 1985. 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2462. Because the HIGGINS is in Davy Jones' locker, seizure is unlikely, to say the least. The GRANT cites, and we find, no authority for the crucial proposition that a private party may, in the absence of a government-initiated forfeiture action, invoke the drug forfeiture statute to defeat an adverse party's standing. We find no equitable reason for the GRANT to avoid liability for sinking the HIGGINS because a third party, the United States government, may have an unasserted interest in the HIGGINS. Western Pacific Fisheries and the underwriters retain good title as against the GRANT. 68