Customs and Excise Management Act 1979

84 Penalty for signalling to smugglers

(1) In this section references to a " prohibited signal " or a " prohibited message " are references to a signal or message connected with the smuggling or intended smuggling of goods into or out of the United Kingdom.

(2) Any person who by any means makes any prohibited signal or transmits any prohibited message from any part of the United Kingdom or from any ship or aircraft for the information of a person in any ship or aircraft or across the boundary shall be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of £100, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both, and may be detained ; and any equipment or apparatus used for sending the signal or message shall be liable to forfeiture.

(3) Subsection (2) above applies whether or not the person for whom the signal or message is intended is in a position to receive it or is actually engaged at the time in smuggling goods.

(4) If, in any proceedings under subsection (2) above, any question arises as to whether any signal or message was a prohibited signal or message, the burden of proof shall lie upon the defendant or claimant.

(5) If any officer or constable or any member of Her Majesty's armed forces or coastguard has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any prohibited signal or message is "being or is about to be made or transmitted from any ship, aircraft, vehicle, house or place, he may board or enter that ship, aircraft, vehicle, house or place and take such steps as are reasonably necessary to stop or prevent the sending of the signal or message.