Section 21
Seizure
(1)
All goods in a free trade zone in respect of which —
(a)
there has been, or there is a reasonable cause to believe that there has been committed an offence against any breach of this Act or any other written law; or
Free Trade Zones
B.L.R.O. 4/2023 17
(b)
any contravention of any condition subject to which any licence, permit, approval or authorisation has been granted under any such written law, together with any container, receptacle, baggage, package, vehicle, vessel or aircraft in which the goods may be found or which is used in connection with such offence, breach or contravention, and any document or other thing which may be reasonably believed to have bearing on the case, may be seized by any officer of customs.
(2)
All such goods, container, receptacle, baggage, package, vehicle, vessel and aircraft and anything contained therein shall, as soon as is practicable, be delivered into the care of an officer of customs whose duty it is to receive the same.
(3)
Whenever any goods, container, receptacle, package, baggage, vehicle, vessel or aircraft and anything found therein is seized under this Act, the officer effecting the seizure shall forthwith take reasonable steps to give to the owner thereof notice in writing or otherwise of such seizure to him personally or by post at his last known place of residence:
Provided that such notice shall not be required to be given where such seizure is made on the person or in the presence of the offender or the owner of such goods, container, receptacle, package, baggage or vehicle or his agent, and, in the case of a vessel or an aircraft in the presence of the master or pilot, as the case may be.