559Power to secure embargoed thing

559 Power to secure embargoed thing

559 Power to secure embargoed thing

(1) An authorised officer may take reasonable action to restrict access to an embargoed thing.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the authorised officer may, for example—

(a) seal the embargoed thing, or the entrance to the place where the embargoed thing is located, and mark the thing or place to show access to the thing or place is restricted; or

(b) for equipment—make it inoperable; or

Example—

dismantling equipment or removing a component of equipment without which the equipment can not be used

(c) require a person the authorised officer reasonably believes is in control of the embargoed thing, or the place where the embargoed thing is located, to do an act mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or anything else an authorised officer could do under subsection (1).

(3) A person of whom a requirement is made under subsection (2)(c) must comply with the requirement, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—$10000.

Editorial note.

See also section 737 (Increase of penalty amounts).

(4) If access to an embargoed thing is restricted under this section, a person must not tamper with the thing or with anything used to restrict access to the thing without—

(a) an authorised officer’s approval; or

(b) a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—$10000.

Editorial note.

See also section 737 (Increase of penalty amounts).

(5) If access to a place is restricted under this section, a person must not enter the place in contravention of the restriction or tamper with anything used to restrict access to the place without—

(a) an authorised officer’s approval; or

(b) a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty—$10000.

Editorial note.

See also section 737 (Increase of penalty amounts).

(6) The restricted access to an embargoed thing, or a place where an embargoed thing is located, under this section applies only for the period the thing is an embargoed thing.