(a) If for any reason the avocados are not released to the rightful owner after being in the custody of the secretary for 48 hours or, in the case of highly perishable avocados, any shorter period of time that the secretary deems necessary, the secretary may either sell the avocados by private sale at fair grower market value or, after 72 hours from the time of seizure, donate the avocados to a nonprofit charitable organization. If donated, the avocados shall not be sold by the receiving party. If sold by the secretary, all of the proceeds derived from the sale of the commodity shall be held by the secretary for a period of not less than six months, during which time the lawful owner of the avocados may submit satisfactory proof of ownership and obtain possession of the proceeds. The secretary may require the payment by the owner of an amount sufficient to cover the costs incurred for storage and sale of the avocados, but not to exceed the sale price of the avocados. If, after retention of the proceeds for a period of at least six months, no demand is made or if proof of ownership is not supplied, the secretary shall deposit the proceeds of the sale of the avocados with the California Avocado Commission.

(b) If the avocados are unfit for human consumption, the secretary may destroy them.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 946, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)