Section 17
Search with warrant
Whenever it appears to any Magistrate on information and after such inquiry as necessary, that there is reasonable cause to believe that in any building, place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft in a free trade zone, there are goods concealed or deposited or there are activities conducted or there are services provided therein in respect of which an offence under this Act or any other written law or any regulations made thereunder had been committed, such
Magistrate may issue a warrant authorising an officer of customs, named therein, with or without assistance —
(a)
to remove by force any obstruction to entry or search of the building, place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft or seize and remove such goods as he is empowered to effect;
Free Trade Zones
B.L.R.O. 4/2023 15
(b)
to enter the building, place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft and thereto search for and seize any goods in respect of which there is reason to believe that the offence aforesaid has been committed, and any document or other thing which may reasonably be believed to have a bearing on the case;
(c)
to detain any person found in the building, place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft until the building, place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft has been searched; and
(d)
to arrest any person being in the building, place, vehicle, vessel or aircraft or in possession of such goods found, or whom such officer may reasonably suspect to have concealed or deposited such goods or conducted such activity or provided such service.