121Power to seize things

121 Power to seize things (1) An investigator who enters premises under this part with the occupier’s consent may seize anything at the premises if seizure of the thing is consistent with the purpose of the entry told to the occupier when seeking the occupier’s consent. (2) An investigator who enters premises under a warrant under this part may seize anything at the premises that the investigator is authorised to seize under the warrant. (3) An investigator who enters premises under this part (whether with the occupier’s consent or under a warrant) may seize anything at the premises if satisfied on reasonable grounds that— (a) the thing is connected with corrupt conduct; and (b) the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing from being— (i) concealed, lost or destroyed; or (ii) used to engage in, continue or repeat the corrupt conduct. (4) Having seized a thing, an investigator may— (a) remove the thing from the premises where it was seized (the place of seizure) to another place; or (b) leave the thing at the place of seizure but restrict access to it.

(5) A person commits an offence if the person— (a) interferes with a seized thing, or anything containing a seized thing, to which access has been restricted under subsection (4) (b); and (b) does not have an investigator’s approval to interfere with the thing. (6) An offence against subsection (5) is a strict liability offence.