Seizure of property due to a crime

Under the law, your property may be seized and may be confiscated or sold, also known as forfeited, if it is suspected of being involved in any of the following:

• used in a criminal act
• obtained through crime - e.g: you bought it with money earned from a crime
• the property of a drug trafficker.

Your property may also be seized if you have unexplained wealth.

If you use property belonging to someone who is innocent of a criminal act, you may have to surrender your own property in equal value.

The Public Trustee manages property that is under investigation and sells forfeited property. Read the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act 2002.