18. General power to stop and search

Any officer of customs may, within a free trade zone, stop and search any vehicle, vessel or aircraft and anything contained therein for the purpose of ascertaining whether any goods contained therein may form the subject of an offence against this Act or any other written law.

The person in charge or in control of any vehicle, vessel or aircraft shall, if required to do so by the officer of customs, stop his vehicle, vessel or aircraft or move the same to another place for examination, and shall not proceed until permission to do so has been given by the officer of customs.

An officer of customs may, within a free trade zone, examine any goods which are being taken into or removed from a free trade zone and for the purpose of such examination bring the goods to the office of customs and may open any container, package or receptacle.