taken to a police station to be disposed of or to be returned at that police station to the person from whom the container was seized.
(5) In this section—
- "inspect", in relation to any thing, includes handling it, opening it and examining its contents;
- "personal property", in relation to an individual, means things carried by the individual or things apparently in the immediate control of the individual, but does not include any garments worn by the individual.
Powers of search and seizure
23.—(1) Without prejudice to sections 10, 14, 20, 21 and 22 and any other written law, a police officer not below the rank of sergeant may, without warrant, do any of the following if the police officer reasonably suspects that an offence under this Act has been or is being committed:
- (a) enter and search any premises or place in connection with the offence;
- (b) seize any thing in connection with the exercise of a power referred to in paragraph (a) that the police officer reasonably believes to be related to that offence.
(2) A police officer not below the rank of sergeant may use reasonable force in acting under this section.
Powers under other written laws
24. To avoid doubt, nothing in this Act prevents the exercise by a police officer or an auxiliary police officer of any power under the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 68) or the Public Order Act (Cap. 257A).
