(a)        Except as is otherwise provided in Article 3 of Chapter 31A, in the case of any violation of Article 13A of Chapter 14, or a general statute constituting a felony other than a nonwillful homicide, any money or other property or interest in property acquired thereby shall be forfeited to the State of North Carolina, including any profits, gain, remuneration, or compensation directly or indirectly collected by or accruing to any offender.

(b)        An action to recover such property shall be brought by either a District Attorney or the Attorney General pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-532 The action must be brought within three years from the date of the conviction for the offense.

(c)        Nothing in this section shall be construed to require forfeiture of any money or property recovered by law-enforcement officers pursuant to the investigation of an offense when the money or property is readily identifiable by the owner or guardian of the property or is traceable to him. ?(1981, c. 840, s. 1; 2008-214, s. 1.)