Customs-Free Airport Act, 1947
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Searching of persons. |
9.—(1) This section applies to all uncustomed goods, goods brought into the airport in contravention of section 6 of this Act and goods the importation or exportation of which is for the time being prohibited or restricted by law. | |
(2) In this section references to the searching of a person include the opening (if necessary by force) and searching of any box, bag, package or other article carried by or for him. | ||
(3) An authorised officer, officer of customs and excise, or a person acting on the instructions of any such officer, may search (subject to the provisions of this section) a person whom the officer reasonably suspects of carrying or having in his possession any goods to which this section applies. | ||
(4) Whenever an authorised officer or officer of customs and excise proposes to search, or cause to be searched, any person, that person may demand that he be brought before a superior officer, whereupon the following provisions shall have effect: | ||
(a) the authorised officer or officer of customs and excise shall, with all reasonable speed and before searching him or causing him to be searched, bring that person before a superior officer; | ||
(b) the superior officer shall hear the representations of the said officer and of that person and shall either, as he shall think proper, direct that that person be discharged without being searched or direct that he be searched forthwith; | ||
(c) every direction given under paragraph (b) of this subsection by a superior officer shall be complied with by all persons concerned. | ||
(5) No female shall be searched under this section otherwise than by a female. | ||
(6) If any person obstructs, resists, or interferes with an authorised officer or officer of customs and excise in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by this section or, in particular, refuses to be or resists being searched under this section, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds. |