State v. One 1980 Harley Davidson Motorcycle Vin 9G3593950

COUCH, Judge.

Here we decide two appeals involving the same basic issue, that is, whether the appropriate sanction for failure to comply with Maryland Code (1957, 1982 Repl.Vol.), Art. 27, § 297(h), 1 regarding forfeiture of motor vehicles used in drug trafficking, is dismissal of the petition for forfeiture. We conclude that dismissal is inappropriate and therefore, we reverse.

In the first appeal, Joel Howard Shapiro, the owner of a 1980 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was arrested in July, 1981 for violations of the Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. Maryland Code (1957, 1982 Repl.Vol.), Art.…