Penalty: Opium

If any of such merchandise so found consists of smoking opium or opium prepared for smoking, the master of such vessel or the owner of such vessel shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each ounce thereof so found. Such penalty shall constitute a lien upon such vessel; except that the master CH. 73 CUSTOMS AND QUARANTINE AGENCY or owner of a vessel used by any person as a common carrier in the transaction of business as such common carrier shall not be liable to such penalty and the vessel shall not be held subject to the lien, if it appears that neither the master nor any of the officers (including licensed and unlicensed officers and petty officers) nor the owner of the vessel knew, and could not, by the exercise of the highest degree of care and diligence, have known that such smoking opium or opium prepared for smoking was on board. Clearance of any such vessel may be withheld until such penalty is paid or until a bond, satisfactory to the Collector, is given for the payment thereof.