illegal possession; unlawful possession
Legal term for possessing something prohibited by law, such as drugs or weapons. Often used in formal or news contexts.
See also: 不法所持
He was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm.
A house search was conducted on suspicion of unlawful possession.
Synonym; 不法所持 is also used for illegal possession, but 違法所持 is slightly more common in legal contexts.
Compound of 違法 (illegal) and 所持 (possession).