What happens if prohibited merchandise is found on a foreign vessel?

When prohibited merchandise is discovered on a foreign vessel, the appropriate response is to initiate seizure and forfeiture of the merchandise. This process is governed by laws concerning customs and international trade, which aim to protect the integrity of commerce and national security.

The seizure of prohibited merchandise serves several important functions: it acts as a deterrent against smuggling and the illegal trade of restricted items, ensures compliance with regulations, and allows authorities to enforce customs laws effectively. Forfeiture means that any items that violate these laws are permanently removed from circulation, meaning that they cannot legally re-enter the market.

This response ensures that thorough investigations can be conducted to understand the circumstances around the presence of such merchandise, and it also takes necessary actions to eliminate risks posed by that merchandise, whether they pertain to public safety, security, or legal violations.

In this context, the other options would not appropriately reflect the standard legal and operational procedures followed in dealing with prohibited merchandise found onboard foreign vessels.