Controlled drugs in transit

(1) No person shall bring any controlled drugs to Belize in transit unless– (a) the drug is in the course of transit from a country from which it may lawfully be exported to another country into which it may be lawfully imported; and Misuse of Drugs 49 (b) where the drug comes from a country not a party to the Conventions, the drug is accompanied by a valid and subsisting export authorisation or diversion certificate as the case may be. (2) In this regulation, the expression“diversion certificate” means a certificate issued by the competent authority of a country through which a controlled drug passes in transit authorising the diversion of such drug to a country other than that specified as the country of ultimate destination in the export authorisation and substantially in the form set out in Schedule X. Schedule X. (3) Where any controlled drug in transit is accompanied by an export authorisation or diversion certificate and the Comptroller of Customs has reasonable grounds for believing that such authorisation or certificate is false, or that it has been obtained by fraud or wilful misrepresentation of a material particular, it shall be lawful for the Comptroller of Customs to seize and detain the drug to which such authorisation or certificate relates. (4) Upon being satisfied that such authorisation or certificate is valid or has not been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation, the Comptroller of Customs shall release the drug. (5) Where the controlled drug in transit is not accompanied by an export authorisation or diversion certificate by reason of the fact that the drug comes from a country which is not a party to the Conventions and the Director of Health Services has reasonable grounds for believing that such drug is being conveyed in an unlawful manner or for an unlawful purpose, or is in the course of transit for the purpose of being imported into another country in contravention of the laws of that country, it 50 Misuse of Drugs shall be lawful for the Comptroller of Customs to seize and detain the drug. (6) Where a controlled drug brought into Belize in transit is landed or transhipped in Belize, it shall remain under the control of the Comptroller of Customs and shall be moved only under and in accordance with a removal licence granted in pursuance (7) Nothing in this regulation shall be deemed to apply to any controlled drug in transit by post or in transit by air if the aircraft passes over Belize without landing, or to such quantities of controlled drugs as may, bona fide, reasonably form part of the medical stores of any ship or aircraft.