...(b)
(1) A person may not import into the State, offer for sale, trade, barter, possess, breed, or exchange a live:...
(ii) caiman, alligator, or crocodile...
(viii) poisonous snake in the family groups of Hydrophidae, Elapidae, Viperidae, or Crotolidae...
(c)
(1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:
(i) if an individual, a fine not exceeding $1,000; or
(ii) if not an individual, a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(2) The provisions of this section may be enforced by:
(i) any State or local law enforcement officer; or
(ii) the local animal control authority for the jurisdiction where the violation occurs.
(d)
(1) An animal specified in subsection (b) of this section may be immediately seized if:
(i) there is probable cause to believe that the possession of the animal is in violation of this section; or
(ii) the animal poses a risk to public health or public safety.
(2) An animal specified in subsection (b) of this section that is seized may be returned to the person who had possession of the animal at the time the animal was seized only if it is established that:
(i) possession of the animal by the person is not a violation of this section; and
(ii) the return of the animal does not pose a risk to public health or public safety.
(3)
(i) Notice that the animal was seized shall be served on the person who had possession of the animal at the time the animal was seized by:
1. posting a copy of the notice at the place where the animal was seized;
2. regular and certified mail, return receipt requested; or
3. delivering the notice to a person residing on the property from which the animal was seized.
(ii) The notice shall include:
1. a description of the animal seized;
2. the authority for and the purpose of the seizure;
3. the time, place, and circumstances of the seizure;
4. a contact person and telephone number;
5. a statement that the person from whom the animal was seized may:
A. post security to prevent disposition of the animal; and
B. request a hearing concerning the seizure;
6. a statement that failure to post security or request a hearing within 10 days of the date of the notice will result in the disposition of the animal; and
7. a statement that, unless a court finds that the seizure of the animal was not justified, the actual costs of the care, keeping, and disposal of the animal are the responsibility of the person from whom the animal was seized.
(4)
(i) Before a seizure under paragraph (1) of this subsection occurs, the person in possession of the animal to be seized may request that the animal remain in the person's physical custody for 30 days after the date the animal was to be seized.
(ii) During the 30 days provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the person shall take all necessary actions to comply with this section.
(iii) At any reasonable time during the 30-day period, the local animal control authority may inspect the premises where the animal is being kept.
(5)
(i) If a person who retains possession of an animal under paragraph (4) of this subsection is not in compliance with this section after the 30-day period has expired, the local animal control authority shall seize the animal and place it in a holding facility that is appropriate for the species.
(ii) The authority seizing an animal under this paragraph shall provide notice of the seizure in the same manner as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(6)
(i) A person from whom an animal was seized may request a hearing in the District Court within 10 days of the seizure.
(ii) A hearing shall be held as soon as practicable to determine the validity of the seizure and the disposition of the animal.
(7)
(i) Unless the court finds that the seizure of the animal was not justified by law, a person from whom the animal specified in subsection (b) of this section is seized is liable for all actual costs of care, keeping, and disposal of the animal.
(ii) The costs required under this paragraph shall be paid in full unless a mutually satisfactory agreement is made between the local animal control authority and the person claiming an interest in the animal.
(8)
(i) If there is no request for a hearing within 10 days of the notice or if the court orders a permanent and final disposition of the animal, the local animal control authority shall take steps to find long-term placement of the animal with another appropriate facility that is equipped for the continued care of the particular species of the animal.
(ii) If there is no entity that is suitable for the care of the animal, the animal may be euthanized. Local laws and regulations
(e) This section does not limit a county or municipality from enacting laws or adopting regulations that are more restrictive pertaining to any potentially dangerous animals, including those specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(f) If the owner of an animal specified in subsection (b) of this section dies without making arrangements for the transfer of custody of the animal to another person, the animal may be turned over to one of the organizations specified in subsection (a)(1) of this section or euthanized if no suitable location can be found in a reasonable amount of time.
Citation: MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-621.
...(b) The Department may not prohibit the use of turtle pots in areas where nets are prohibited.
Citation: MD Code, Natural Resources, § 4-738.
If any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that any person possesses any bird, mammal, amphibian, or reptile or any device in violation of this title, the officer shall go before any District Court judge of the county in which the species of wildlife or device is believed to be and make affidavit to that fact. If the judge finds the affidavit legally sufficient, the judge shall issue a search warrant against the person complained of, directed to the officer making the affidavit, commanding the officer to proceed at once and search for the bird, mammal, amphibian, or reptile or the device and, upon finding it, to seize, take possession, and keep it until further order by the judge. The warrant shall be executed pursuant to the Maryland Rules. The warrant shall be returned within 5 days from the issuing date or within a shorter period of time set forth in the search warrant.
Citation: MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-1103.
A Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer, upon arresting any person for violating any provision of this title or any regulation adopted pursuant to this title, may seize every bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian unlawfully caught, sold, offered for sale, transported, or possessed. The Department may dispose of any seized species of wildlife at the Department's discretion.
Citation: MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-1105.
(a) If a Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that any species of wildlife or any device is possessed in violation of this title, and it is not possible or feasible to secure a search warrant in time to seize the bird, mammal, amphibian, or reptile or the device, then the Natural Resources police officer may examine any boat, railway car, box, crate, package, or game bag without a warrant. Vehicular searches
(b) In this event, a Natural Resources police officer, in uniform or accompanied by a uniformed police officer, may stop and search an automobile, any vehicle, or trailer for the purpose of examining the game bags. The Natural Resources police officer also may determine whether the person has an appropriate license.
(c) This section does not permit entering a dwelling house without first procuring a search warrant.
Citation: MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-1104.