§372. Examinations and investigations

(a) Authority to conduct

The Secretary is authorized to conduct examinations and investigations for the purposes of this chapter through officers and employees of the Department or through any health, food, or drug officer or employee of any State, Territory, or political subdivision thereof, duly commissioned by the Secretary as an officer of the Department. In the case of food packed in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a Territory the Secretary shall attempt to make inspection of such food at the first point of entry within the United States when, in his opinion and with due regard to the enforcement of all the provisions of this chapter, the facilities at his disposal will permit of such inspection. For the purposes of this subsection the term "United States" means the States and the District of Columbia.

(b) Availability to owner of part of analysis samples

Where a sample of a food, drug, or cosmetic is collected for analysis under this chapter the Secretary shall, upon request, provide a part of such official sample for examination or analysis by any person named on the label of the article, or the owner thereof, or his attorney or agent; except that the Secretary is authorized, by regulations, to make such reasonable exceptions from, and impose such reasonable terms and conditions relating to, the operation of this subsection as he finds necessary for the proper administration of the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Records of other departments and agencies

For purposes of enforcement of this chapter, records of any department or independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government shall be open to inspection by any official of the Department duly authorized by the Secretary to make such inspection.

(d) Information on patents for drugs

The Secretary is authorized and directed, upon request from the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, to furnish full and complete information with respect to such questions relating to drugs as the Commissioner may submit concerning any patent application. The Secretary is further authorized, upon receipt of any such request, to conduct or cause to be conducted, such research as may be required.

(e) Powers of enforcement personnel

Any officer or employee of the Department designated by the Secretary to conduct examinations, investigations, or inspections under this chapter relating to counterfeit drugs may, when so authorized by the Secretary-

(1) carry firearms;

(2) execute and serve search warrants and arrest warrants;

(3) execute seizure by process issued pursuant to libel under section 334 of this title;

(4) make arrests without warrant for offenses under this chapter with respect to such drugs if the offense is committed in his presence or, in the case of a felony, if he has probable cause to believe that the person so arrested has committed, or is committing, such offense; and

(5) make, prior to the institution of libel proceedings under section 334(a)(2) of this title, seizures of drugs or containers or of equipment, punches, dies, plates, stones, labeling, or other things, if they are, or he has reasonable grounds to believe that they are, subject to seizure and condemnation under such section 334(a)(2). In the event of seizure pursuant to this paragraph (5), libel proceedings under section 334(a)(2) of this title shall be instituted promptly and the property seized be placed under the jurisdiction of the court.

(June 25, 1938, ch. 675, §702, 52 Stat. 1056 ; Oct. 10, 1962, Pub. L. 87–781, title III, §§307(b), 308, 76 Stat. 796 ; July 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–74, §8(a), 79 Stat. 234 ; Oct. 27, 1970, Pub. L. 91–513, title II, §701(f), 84 Stat. 1282 ; Jan. 2, 1975, Pub. L. 93–596, §3, 88 Stat. 1949 ; June 16, 1992, Pub. L. 102–300, §6(b)(2), 106 Stat. 240 ; Aug. 13, 1993, Pub. L. 103–80, §3(dd)(2), 107 Stat. 779 .)

Amendments

1993-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–80 struck out "of Agriculture" after "Department".

1992-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–300, which directed the amendment of subsec. (c) by striking out "of Health, Education, and Welfare", could not be executed because such words did not appear in the original statutory text. See 1993 Amendment note above and Transfer of Functions note below.

1970-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 91–513 struck out reference to depressant or stimulant drugs.

1965-Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 89–74 added subsec. (e).

1962-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–781, §307(b), inserted "the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or" before "a Territory the Secretary".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–781, §308, added subsec. (d).

Change of Name

"Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks" substituted for "Commissioner of Patents" in subsec. (d) pursuant to section 3 of Pub. L. 93–596, set out as a note under section 1 of Title 35, Patents.

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–513 effective on first day of seventh calendar month that begins after Oct. 26, 1970, see section 704 of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as an Effective Date note under section 801 of this title.

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 89–74 effective July 15, 1965, see section 11 of Pub. L. 89–74, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Savings Provision

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–513 not to affect or abate any prosecutions for any violation of law or any civil seizures or forfeitures and injunctive proceedings commenced prior to the effective date of such amendment, and all administrative proceedings pending before the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs [now Drug Enforcement Administration] on Oct. 27, 1970, to be continued and brought to final determination in accord with laws and regulations in effect prior to Oct. 27, 1970, see section 702 of Pub. L. 91–513, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see note set out under section 41 of this title.

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Admiralty and maritime rules of practice (which included libel procedures) were superseded, and civil and admiralty procedures in United States district courts were unified, effective July 1, 1966, see rule 1 and Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims, Title 28, Appendix, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 321 of this title.