Part IV Miscellaneous and supplemental

Investigations into drug trafficking

F159AConstruction of sections 55 to 59

(1)

This section has effect for the purposes of sections 55 to 59.

(2)

A reference to a constable includes a reference to a customs officer.

(3)

A customs officer is a person commissioned by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under section 6(3) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2).

(4)

Drug trafficking means doing or being concerned in any of the following (whether in England and Wales or elsewhere)—

(a)

producing or supplying a controlled drug where the production or supply contravenes section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or a corresponding law;

(b)

transporting or storing a controlled drug where possession of the drug contravenes section 5(1) of that Act or a corresponding law;

(c)

importing or exporting a controlled drug where the importation or exportation is prohibited by section 3(1) of that Act or a corresponding law;

(d)

manufacturing or supplying a scheduled substance within the meaning of section 12 of the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990 where the manufacture or supply is an offence under that section or would be such an offence if it took place in England and Wales;

(e)

using any ship for illicit traffic in controlled drugs in circumstances which amount to the commission of an offence under section 19 of that Act.

(5)

In this section “corresponding law” has the same meaning as in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.