s 17 Examination of packages, etc.
17. —(1) Where any package, box, chest or other article is in Singapore and — ( a ) a reasonable suspicion exists that it is being, or is about to be, or has recently been imported, exported, carried coastwise, shipped as ships’ stores, carried as aircraft stores or transhipped in contravention of the provisions of any regulations made under section 3; or ( b ) is in transit through Singapore on board a vessel and a requirement to inspect goods on board the vessel is imposed pursuant to any written law giving effect to any relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council, the enforcement powers mentioned in subsection (2) may be exercised by the person conferred those powers under that subsection in relation to the package, box, chest or other article. [16/2018] (2) Any package, box, chest or other article mentioned in subsection (1) — ( a ) may be examined and searched by any authorised officer and may be detained until any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article has opened it for examination and search; ( b ) may be forcibly opened by, or by order of, a senior authorised officer to facilitate the examination and search except that any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article is to be afforded every reasonable facility for being present at the opening, examination and search; or ( c ) may be marked, locked, sealed or otherwise secured by any authorised officer pending examination and search. [16/2018] (3) Any person (not being an authorised officer) who removes, opens, breaks or tampers with any lock, seal or other means of securing any package, box, chest or other article shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. [16/2018] —(1) Where any package, box, chest or other article is in Singapore and — ( a ) a reasonable suspicion exists that it is being, or is about to be, or has recently been imported, exported, carried coastwise, shipped as ships’ stores, carried as aircraft stores or transhipped in contravention of the provisions of any regulations made under section 3; or ( b ) is in transit through Singapore on board a vessel and a requirement to inspect goods on board the vessel is imposed pursuant to any written law giving effect to any relevant decision of the United Nations Security Council, the enforcement powers mentioned in subsection (2) may be exercised by the person conferred those powers under that subsection in relation to the package, box, chest or other article. [16/2018] (2) Any package, box, chest or other article mentioned in subsection (1) — ( a ) may be examined and searched by any authorised officer and may be detained until any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article has opened it for examination and search; ( b ) may be forcibly opened by, or by order of, a senior authorised officer to facilitate the examination and search except that any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article is to be afforded every reasonable facility for being present at the opening, examination and search; or ( c ) may be marked, locked, sealed or otherwise secured by any authorised officer pending examination and search. [16/2018] (3) Any person (not being an authorised officer) who removes, opens, breaks or tampers with any lock, seal or other means of securing any package, box, chest or other article shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. [16/2018]