s.18Powers of authorised officers
18
Section 18Part 5 — Enforcement and Penalties

Powers of authorised officers

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An authorised officer may —
interrogate any person found in possession of or having control of a specimen or any person engaged in a registrable activity;
require to be produced and examine and take copies of any records or documents apparently relating to a specimen or to a registrable activity or of any permit, certificate or other document required under the provisions of this Act or the Convention;
whenever that authorised officer reasonably suspects any person of having contravened any provision of this Act or the Convention, search that person and that person's property and anything in that person's possession or under that person's control;
at any reasonable time and (if required to do so) upon producing evidence that that authorised officer is so authorised, enter any land or premises where a specimen is or is reasonably believed to be kept or where a registrable activity is or is reasonably believed to be carried out; and
seize any specimen in respect of which that authorised officer reasonably suspects there has been an offence under this Act or a violation of the Convention and any records or documents relating to that specimen.
Where an authorised officer is satisfied that there is reasonable evidence of an offence under this Act, that authorised officer may arrest and detain any person suspected of the offence and seize any vessel or vehicle and any cage, container or other article or equipment used in its commission.
Anything seized under subsection (1)(e) or (2) shall, subject to any decision of the Court under section 27 or 28 or to the results of any appeal under section 30, become the property of the Crown and shall, subject to subsection (4), be disposed of in such manner as the Management Authority may direct.
The owner of a vessel or vehicle forfeited pursuant to this section shall have the right to recover ownership of it on payment to the Crown of such sum, not exceeding its market value, as the Cabinet may specify.
Any person who assaults, obstructs, intimidates or gives false information to an authorised officer acting under this section commits an offence.

Cross References