§195D-8  Search and seizure.  Anyofficer or agent authorized pursuant to section 195D-7 shall have the authorityto conduct searches as provided by law and to seize any equipment, businessrecords, merchandise, aquatic life, wildlife, or land plant taken, possessed,transported, sold, offered for sale, or used in violation of any section ofthis chapter or any rule adopted hereunder, and any of the foregoing so seizedshall be held by the department pending disposition of court proceedings, orthe department prior to forfeiture, may direct the transfer of aquatic life,wildlife, or land plants so seized to a qualified ichthyological, zoological,botanical, educational, or scientific institution for safekeeping, coststhereof to be paid by the defendant.  Upon conviction of the person or personsfrom whom the seizure was made, the court shall declare the items seizedforfeited to the State.  Such items shall be destroyed or disposed of in anymanner as the department may deem appropriate. [L 1975, c 65, pt of §1; am L1983, c 111, §9]