158Powers of NCA officers in relation to customs matters
(1)The Crime and Courts Act 2013 is amended as follows.
(2)In section 9 (Director General: customs powers of Commissioners & operational powers)—
(a)in subsection (2), after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba)the powers of a general customs official;”;
(b)in subsection (8), in the definition of “operational power”, after paragraph (b) insert—
a power of a general customs official;”.
(3)In section 10 (operational powers of other NCA officers), in subsection (1) after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba)the powers of a general customs official;”.
(4)In Schedule 5 (police, customs and immigration powers), after Part 5 (designation: powers of officers of Revenue and Customs) insert—
“Part 5ADesignations: Powers of general customs officials
NCA officers
18A(1)If an NCA officer is designated as a person having the powers of a general customs official, the NCA officer has, in relation to any customs matter, the same powers as a general customs official would have.
(2)But that is subject to any limitation included in the designation.
Powers only exercisable in relation to customs matters
18BIf a power of a general customs official is exercisable both—
(a)in relation to a customs matter, and
(b)in relation to any other matter,
the power is exercisable by a designated officer only in relation to the customs matter.
Powers exercisable under warrant
18C(1)This paragraph applies to an enactment if it provides for the issuing of warrants which authorise a general customs official to exercise any power in relation to a customs matter.
(2)For the purpose of enabling a designated officer to exercise that power in relation to a customs matter, the enactment has effect as if the designated officer were a general customs official.”
(5)In paragraph 26 of that Schedule (modification of references), after paragraph (c) insert—
“(ca)a power of a general customs official is exercisable by any NCA officer, a reference to a general customs official in any enactment which relates to that power is to be taken to be, or to include, a reference to any NCA officer by whom that power is exercisable;”.
(6)In paragraph 27 of that Schedule (power to make further provision), in sub-paragraph (2), after paragraph (d)(ii) insert—
“(iia)one or more grades of, or pay scales applicable to, general customs officials;”.
(7)In paragraph 28 of that Schedule (functions of third parties relating to constables etc: extension to NCA), in sub-paragraph (2), after paragraph (c) insert—
“(ca)a general customs official,”.