Section 24
of Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984
Section 24
For the purpose of ensuring compliance with the provisions of this Act or any applicable written law, any authorized officer may, where he has reason to believe that an offence has been committed under this Act or such written law, without a warrant—
Exclusive Economic Zone 25
(a)
stop, board and search any vessel within the exclusive economic zone and inspect any licence, permit, record, certificate or any other document required to be carried on board such vessel under this Act, such written law or any generally accepted international rules and standards, and make copies of the same;
(b)
make such further enquiries and physical inspection of the vessel, its crew, equipment, gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores and cargo as may be necessary to ascertain whether or not a suspected violation of the provisions of this Act or such written law has been committed;
(c)
enter and search any place in which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act or such written law is about to be or has been committed;
(d)
arrest any person who he has reason to believe has committed any offence under this Act or such written law;
(e)
detain any article which he has reason to believe has been used in the commission of any offence under this Act or such written law;
(f)
detain any vessel, including its equipment, gear, furniture, appurtenances, stores and cargo, which he has reason to believe has been used in the commission of any offence or in relation to which any offence has been committed under this Act or such written law.
(2)
A written acknowledgement shall be given for any article, vessel or thing detained under subsection (1).