Tipping-off

(1) A person commits an offence if– (a) he knows or suspects that a member of the Belize Police Department is acting, or is proposing to act, in connection with an investigation which is being, or is about to be, conducted into a drug trafficking offence; and (b) he discloses to any other person information or any other matter which is likely to prejudice that investigation, or proposed investigation. (2) Nothing in sub-section (1) makes it an offence for a professional legal adviser to disclose any information or other matter– (a) to, or to a representative of, a client of his in connection with the giving by the adviser of legal advice to the client; or (b) to any person– (i) in contemplation of, or in connection with, legal proceedings; and (ii) for the purpose of those proceedings. (3) Sub-section (2) does not apply in relation to any information or other matter which is disclosed with a view to furthering any criminal purpose. (4) In proceedings against a person for an offence under sub- section (1), it is a defence to prove that he did not know or suspect that the disclosure was likely to be prejudicial in the way mentioned in that sub-section. 70 (5) A person who commits an offence under this section is (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, or to both fine and term of imprisonment; or (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, or to both fine and term of imprisonment. (6) No member of the Belize Police Department or other person commits an offence under this section in respect of anything done by him in the course of acting in connection with the enforcement, or intended enforcement, of any provision of this Act.