21 USC § 969 - Contempt proceedings

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t21/s969"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "21 USC § 969 - Contempt proceedings"
title_number: 21
title_name: "FOOD AND DRUGS"
section_number: "969"
section_name: "Contempt proceedings"
chapter_number: 13
chapter_name: "DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "IMPORT AND EXPORT"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 800, § 3, 69 Stat. 685.)"
---


# § 969. Contempt proceedings

In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, the Secretary of the Treasury may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which the investigation is carried on or of which the subpenaed person is an inhabitant, carries on business or may be found, to compel compliance with the subpena of the Secretary of the Treasury. The court may issue an order requiring the subpenaed person to appear before the Secretary of the Treasury there to produce records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. All process in any such case may be served in the judicial district whereof the subpenaed person is an inhabitant or wherever he may be found.

---

**Source Credit**: (Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 800, § 3, 69 Stat. 685.)

## Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 which comprises this chapter.

Section was formerly classified to  prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 31, Money and Finance, by , , .

Section was also formerly classified to .