(a) Property which has been lost, abandoned, stolen or lawfully seized or forfeited, and which is in the custody of the police, shall be safely kept pending the time it is no longer needed as evidence, and disposed of pursuant to this section.
(b) The police shall make a reasonable effort to located the persons entitled to possession of property in its custody, and to notify them when and where it may be claimed. In the absence of evidence identifying persons entitled to custody, it is sufficient notice to advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, briefly describing the nature of the property in custody, and inviting persons to view and establish their right to it.
(c) A person loses any right he may have to possession of property:
(1) Which was the subject, or was used in a conspiracy or attempt to commit or the commission of an offense other than a traffic offense, and such person is a conspirator, accomplice or offender with respect to the offense;
(2) When, in light of the nature of the property or the circumstances of such person, it is unlawful for him to acquire or possess it.
(d) Unclaimed and forfeited property in the custody of the police shall be disposed of on application to an order of the common pleas court of the county in which the law enforcement agency is located, as follows:
(1) Drugs shall be destroyed, or placed in custody of the secretary of the treasury of the United States, for disposal or use for medical or scientific purposes under applicable federal law.
(2) Firearms and dangerous ordnance suitable for police work may be given to the police for that purpose. Firearms suitable for sporting use, or as museum pieces or collectors’ items, may be sold at public auction pursuant to subsection (d)(4) hereof. Other firearms and dangerous ordnance shall be destroyed.
(3) Obscene materials shall be destroyed.
(4) Other unclaimed or forfeited property may be sold at public auction, or disposed of as the court considers proper in the circumstances.
(e) The proceeds from property disposed of pursuant to this section shall be placed in the general fund of the municipality.
(f) This section does not apply to the collection, storage or disposal of abandoned junk motor vehicles.