Regulation 17 Retention and return when court proceedings are commenced during the retention periodI1

during the period for retention (determined in accordance with regulation 16(3)) the seizure authority has commenced court proceedings in respect of the offence, or one of the offences, in respect of which the property was seized;

such an offence is a forfeiture offence; and

the authority is of the opinion that it is necessary to retain the seized property in respect of such proceedings.

retain the seized property during the continuance of proceedings while the seizure authority is of the opinion in paragraph (1)(c);

notify the entitled person of the commencement of such proceedings and of the effect of this regulation; and

return the property in accordance with regulation 18.