Relating generally to forfeiture of contraband

HB 5261 updates West Virginia's laws on seizing property involved in criminal activity. It specifies that when someone is convicted of a crime involving contraband (such as drugs, tax-evading tobacco, or equipment used to manufacture illegal substances), the court can order forfeiture of the crime's proceeds, property traceable to those proceeds, and items used to commit the crime (like vehicles, containers, or records). The bill includes new protections for innocent property owners, such as allowing vehicle owners to keep their property if they didn’t know it was used for illegal activity. It also establishes clear rules for handling seized property, including requirements for returning property to owners and restrictions on selling forfeited items.