Power of searching vessel

(1) It shall be lawful for any officer of the customs, excise officer or other person authorised in writing by the Comptroller of Customs, to go on board any vessel trading to and from Belize, or between any ports or in anywise departing searching-vessel. 8 or about to depart from any port, harbour, road, bay, creek, haven or caye contiguous thereto, or from any part thereof, and examine and see that such vessel does not carry such goods or articles specified in section 9 of this Act which are prohibited by a proclamation made under this Part to be exported or carried coastwise. (2) All persons are hereby required to assist the officers mentioned in subsection (1) of this section in making such examination. (3) The master or any other person belonging to such vessel who resists any person mentioned in subsection (1) of this section in the making of any such examination shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.