Powers of officers on board

(1) Any officer of customs may board any ship arriving in Belize and freely stay on board until all goods laden therein have been duly delivered therefrom or until her departure, and such officer shall have free access to every part of the ship, with power to search, rummage, fasten down hatchways and other places, and to mark any goods before landing, and to lock up, seal, mark or otherwise secure any goods on board such ship. (2) If any place, box or chest on board of such ship is locked and the keys withheld, such officer may open or cause to be opened any such place, box or chest, and if any goods liable to duty are found concealed on board such ship, they shall be (3) If the officer places any lock, mark or seal upon any place or goods on board and such lock, mark or seal is wilfully opened, altered or broken before due delivery of the goods, or if any such goods are unlawfully conveyed away, or if the hatchways or any other place, after having been fastened down by the officer is opened, the master of such ship commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.