Location or identification of persons or items

(1) Subject to sub–section (2), the central authority may consider a request to assist in locating, or identifying and locating– (a) a person who is believed to be in Belize; (b) item or items, as specified in the request, believed to be in Belize. International Co-operation Act [CAP. 103:04 27 (2) Where, on receipt of a request under sub–section (1), the central authority is satisfied– (a) that the request relates to a criminal matter in the requesting State; and (b) that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person or item to whom the request relates– (i) is or might be concerned in, or could give or provide evidence or assistance relevant to, the criminal matter; and (ii) is in Belize, the central authority may authorise, in writing, assistance in accordance with this section. (3) The central authority may authorise the giving of assistance under sub–section (2) by forwarding the request to the police, public officer or other appropriate Government department in Belize, and the person or department requested shall use its best endeavours to locate or, as the case may be, identify and locate the person or item specified in the request, and shall report to the central authority the outcome. (4) On receipt of a report referred to in sub–section (3), the central authority shall inform the requesting State of the result of the inquiries made pursuant to the request as provided in section 27.