§ 253 — Obstructing entry, etc.

253.—(1) Where an investigator or outsourced enforcement officer is authorised under this Act to enter any premises, a person commits an offence if the person —(a)

wilfully prevents the investigator or outsourced enforcement officer from entering or re‑entering those premises or any part of those premises;

(b)

wilfully obstructs or delays the investigator or outsourced enforcement officer from entering or re‑entering those premises or any part of those premises; or

(c)

gives an alarm or causes an alarm to be given for the purpose of notifying anyone else in those premises of the presence of the investigator or outsourced enforcement officer.

(2) A person commits an offence if the person —(a)

intentionally alters, suppresses or destroys any document or any information or material which the person has been required under section 238 or 249 to provide; or

(b)

intentionally or otherwise obstructs, hinders or delays an investigator or an outsourced enforcement officer, in the discharge of his or her duties under any provision of this Act.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any request, requirement or direction (except a requirement under section 32 or a Part 7 direction) which is made or given by an investigator or an outsourced enforcement officer to that person under any provision of this Act.

(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be liable on conviction —(a)

where the person is an individual — to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; or

(b)

where the person is not an individual — to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

(5) However, it is not an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) for a person to refuse to comply with any request, requirement or direction made or given by an investigator or outsourced enforcement officer, who —(a)

fails to declare his or her office; and

(b)

refuses to produce his or her identification card on demand being made by that person.

—(1) Where an investigator or outsourced enforcement officer is authorised under this Act to enter any premises, a person commits an offence if the person —(a)

wilfully prevents the investigator or outsourced enforcement officer from entering or re‑entering those premises or any part of those premises;

(b)

wilfully obstructs or delays the investigator or outsourced enforcement officer from entering or re‑entering those premises or any part of those premises; or

(c)

gives an alarm or causes an alarm to be given for the purpose of notifying anyone else in those premises of the presence of the investigator or outsourced enforcement officer.

(2) A person commits an offence if the person —(a)

intentionally alters, suppresses or destroys any document or any information or material which the person has been required under section 238 or 249 to provide; or

(b)

intentionally or otherwise obstructs, hinders or delays an investigator or an outsourced enforcement officer, in the discharge of his or her duties under any provision of this Act.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any request, requirement or direction (except a requirement under section 32 or a Part 7 direction) which is made or given by an investigator or an outsourced enforcement officer to that person under any provision of this Act.

(4) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall be liable on conviction —(a)

where the person is an individual — to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; or

(b)

where the person is not an individual — to a fine not exceeding $20,000.

(5) However, it is not an offence under subsection (1), (2) or (3) for a person to refuse to comply with any request, requirement or direction made or given by an investigator or outsourced enforcement officer, who —(a)

fails to declare his or her office; and

(b)

refuses to produce his or her identification card on demand being made by that person.