159Entry by inspector, &c., under warrant

159 Entry by inspector, &c., under warrant

(1)  An inspector may apply to a magistrate for the issue of a search warrant under subsection (4) .

(2)  An application under subsection (1) for a warrant must be sworn and state the grounds on which the warrant is sought.

(3)  A magistrate may refuse to consider an application under subsection (1) from an inspector until the inspector gives the magistrate, in the way that the magistrate requires, all the information about the application that the magistrate requires.

(4)  A magistrate may, on the application under subsection (1) of an inspector, issue a search warrant if the magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that –

(a) there may be, at any time within the next 24 hours, on or in any land, premises, vessel, aircraft or vehicle, a relevant document or thing that may provide evidence relating to a contravention of this Act; and

(b) if a notice under section 156 were given for the production of the relevant document or thing, the document or other thing might be concealed, lost, mutilated or destroyed.

(5)  A search warrant issued to an inspector authorises the inspector, or any other person named in the warrant, with the assistance that the inspector or other person thinks necessary and with reasonable force –

(a) to enter on land, or on or into any premises, vessel, aircraft or vehicle, specified in the warrant; and

(b) to search the land, premises, vessel, aircraft or vehicle for relevant documents or things, being documents, or things, of a kind described in the warrant, that may provide evidence relating to a contravention of this Act; and

(c) to seize the relevant documents or things.

(6)  For the purpose of ascertaining whether this Act is being or has been contravened, an inspector may –

(a) in accordance with a warrant issued by a magistrate, enter, at any reasonable time, on any land, or on or into any premises, vessel, aircraft or vehicle, at, on or in which, the inspector has reasonable grounds to believe, relevant documents or things are kept; and