§ 45 — Powers of search, etc.

45.—(1) If an authorised registration officer reasonably suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act is likely to be found in any premises, or in any vehicle, aircraft, vessel or train (called in this section the conveyance), or on any person, the officer may, without warrant and with such assistance as the officer thinks necessary —(a)

enter and search the premises;

(b)

stop, board and search the conveyance (whether in a public or private place); or

(c)

stop and search the person (whether in a public or private place),

as the case may be.

(2) An authorised registration officer exercising any power under subsection (1) may, if the circumstances so warrant and with such assistance as the officer thinks necessary —(a)

break open any door, window, lock, fastener, compartment, box, container or other thing; or

(b)

remove by force any obstruction to the exercise of that power.

(3) An authorised registration officer carrying out a search under subsection (1) may take possession or make copies of any document found during the search that the officer reasonably believes to be connected to the commission of an offence under this Act.

(4) A woman must not be searched except by a woman.

(5) A person in charge of a conveyance who, without reasonable excuse, does not stop the conveyance when required to do so by an authorised registration officer under subsection (1)(b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.

—(1) If an authorised registration officer reasonably suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act is likely to be found in any premises, or in any vehicle, aircraft, vessel or train (called in this section the conveyance), or on any person, the officer may, without warrant and with such assistance as the officer thinks necessary —(a)

enter and search the premises;

(b)

stop, board and search the conveyance (whether in a public or private place); or

(c)

stop and search the person (whether in a public or private place),

as the case may be.

(2) An authorised registration officer exercising any power under subsection (1) may, if the circumstances so warrant and with such assistance as the officer thinks necessary —(a)

break open any door, window, lock, fastener, compartment, box, container or other thing; or

(b)

remove by force any obstruction to the exercise of that power.

(3) An authorised registration officer carrying out a search under subsection (1) may take possession or make copies of any document found during the search that the officer reasonably believes to be connected to the commission of an offence under this Act.

(4) A woman must not be searched except by a woman.

(5) A person in charge of a conveyance who, without reasonable excuse, does not stop the conveyance when required to do so by an authorised registration officer under subsection (1)(b) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.