It is a civil case. Ives v. Commonwealth, 182 Va. 17, 27 S.E.2d 906 (1943); Wray v. Commonwealth, 191 Va. 738, 62 S.E.2d 889 (1951). Various Items of Personal Property, et al. v. United States, 282 U.S. 577 (1931) was a proceeding to forfeit a distillery, warehouse and denaturing plant on the ground that its owner had conducted its business with intent to defraud, and had defrauded the government.

It threw light upon it. Its relevancy was a matter for the sound discretion of the trial court. That this is a civil case there can be no doubt. Ives v. Commonwealth, 182 Va. 17, 27 S.E.2d 906. We are of opinion that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.

It is a civil case. Chrysler Roadster v. Commonwealth, 152 Va. 508, 515, 147 S.E. 243; Ivers v. Commonwealth, 182 Va. 17, 27 S.E.2d 906. Moreover, there is a specific provision of statute that a forfeiture proceeding such as this shall be independent of any proceeding against the owner or claimant of the property for violation of law.