Offences

(1) Every person who, in respect of any passport– (a) alters or tampers with the same; (b) is found in unlawful possession thereof; (c) on finding the same neglects or fails, within seven days of finding thereof, to send such passport to the Director of Nationality and Passports, appointed under the Belize Nationality Act or to the officer in charge at the nearest Police Station; CAP. 161. (d) by personation or false representation holds himself out as the rightful possessor thereof; (e) by personation or false representation procures or obtains or attempts to procure or obtain the issue of the same to himself or to any person; (f) parts with the possession of the same to another person without lawful authority or for an unlawful purpose; (g) destroys, makes away with or, by wilful neglect, allows any person to obtain possession of the same; 6 (h) without having actual knowledge of the applicant for a passport, makes any declaration verifying the declaration of such applicant, or vouching the fitness of such applicant to receive a passport or makes any such declaration merely on information obtained from the applicant or from any other person; (i) issues or takes any action to facilitate the issue of a passport– (i) without lawful authority; or (ii) knowing that the issue of the passport is contrary to the provisions of this Act; or (j) engages in conduct, in exercise of a duty or authority under this Act, for the purpose of obtaining a benefit for himself or another person, commits an offence against this Act. (2) Every person who aids or abets any person in the commission of any offence against this Act, or harbours any person whom he knows or has reasonable ground for believing to have committed an offence against this Act, also commits an offence against this Act. Penalty.