Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

PART 5
POWERS OF SEARCH

24.   Search powers

1.  

   (1)   If a magistrate is satisfied by information on oath, either oral or written, given by the Director—

   1.  

      (a)     that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence against this Act or any other law in force in Saint Lucia relating to the international financial services has been or is being committed and the evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found at any premises specified in the information, or in any vehicle, vessel or aircraft; or

   1.  

      (b)     that any books, records or other documents which ought to have been produced under section 15 or any other law in force in Saint Lucia relating to the international financial services and have not been produced is to be found at any premises or in any vehicle, vessel or aircraft,

the magistrate may grant a search warrant authorising the Director, together with any other person named in the warrant and any police officer, to enter the premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft at any such time within 30 days from the date of the warrant, and to search the premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft.

1.  

   (2)   The Director or any other person authorised by a warrant under subsection (1) to search any premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, may search any person who is found in or whom the person has reasonable grounds to believe has recently left or to be about to enter those premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, and may seize any books, records or other documents, found in the premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft which the person authorised has reasonable grounds to believe should have been produced under section 15 or any other law in force in Saint Lucia relating to the international financial services, but a female shall not under any warrant issued under subsection (1), be searched except by a female.

1.  

   (3)   Where by virtue of this section, a person is authorised to enter any premises, vehicle, vessel or aircraft, he or she may use such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of exercising that power.

1.  

   (4)   A person shall not obstruct the Director or another person in the exercise of authority conferred under this section.

1.  

   (5)   A person who contravenes subsection (4) commits an offence and article 420 of the Criminal Code applies.