179Search and seizure powers

179 Search and seizure powers (1) This section applies if an authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that an offence against this Act has been, is being, or is likely to be, committed. (2) The authorised officer may, without a warrant, exercise any of the following powers for the detection or prevention of the offence: (a) enter and search a place, except residential premises; (b) stop, enter and search a vehicle, vessel or aircraft; (c) stop, detain and search a person in connection with the exercise of a power under paragraph (a) or (b); (d) require the person to give the officer a specified thing or specified information; (e) require a person to cease doing something; (f) search a thing in connection with the exercise of a power under paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d); (g) inspect, take samples of or seize any thing found in a search under this subsection; (h) operate electronic equipment found as a result of the search in order to retrieve or record information; (i) inspect and retrieve a thing or information for paragraph (h); (j) make a record about an exercise of power under this subsection. (3) A person may be searched under subsection (2)(c) only by an authorised officer of the same gender as the person. (4) A requirement made orally under subsection (2)(d) must be confirmed in writing as soon as practicable after the requirement is given. (5) As soon as practicable after an authorised officer seizes a thing under subsection (2)(g), the officer must: (a) give the Minister a written report about the seizure; and Mineral Titles Act 2010 92 (b) deliver the thing to the Minister or a person authorised by the Minister to accept delivery of it. (6) A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with a requirement given to the person under subsection (2). (7) An offence against subsection (6) is an offence of strict liability. (8) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (6) if the defendant establishes a reasonable excuse.