The legal term for property that is inherently illegal to possess is:

• A. Instrumentality
• B. Derivative contraband
• C. Per se contraband
• D. Proceeds

Answer: (C)

Per se contraband covers property that is illegal to possess in and of itself, simply by its nature. In asset forfeiture, this means the government can forfeit the item just because possessing it is illegal, without needing to prove it was used in a crime or connected to criminal activity beyond possession. This distinguishes it from instrumentality—tools or items involved in committing a crime that might be legal to possess in other contexts; from derivative contraband—goods that become contraband because of their association with illegal activity, not because they are inherently illegal; and from proceeds—assets obtained through crime, forfeitable as proceeds rather than for their intrinsic illegality. The inherent illegality of the item makes it forfeitable on its own, which is why this term is the best fit.