46 U.S.C. § 56105

Forfeiture procedure

(a) In General.—

A forfeiture under this chapter may be enforced in the same way as a forfeiture under the laws on the collection of duties. However, such a forfeiture may be remitted without seizure of the vessel.

(b) Prior Convictions.—

In a proceeding under this chapter to enforce a forfeiture, a prior criminal conviction of a person for a violation of this chapter with respect to the subject matter of the forfeiture is prima facie evidence of the violation against the person convicted.

( Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c) , Oct. 6, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1654 .)