Immigration Act 1959 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 6 · Miscellaneous
51AC. Power to detain stolen vehicle within authorised area, etc.
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2023.
This section applies to a vehicle that —
vehicle
“vehicle” means any vehicle whether mechanically propelled or otherwise;
is within or in the vicinity of an authorised area; and
satisfies either or both of the following conditions:
the Commissioner of Police or a police officer is satisfied that the vehicle has been stolen or illegally taken or used;
the vehicle is liable to be seized by a police officer under section 95(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Despite any other written law, an immigration officer may, without warrant and with or without assistance —
immigration officer
“immigration officer” means any person appointed under section 3;
stop and seize the vehicle; and
detain the vehicle for a period not exceeding 24 hours in any suitable place of detention within or in the vicinity of an authorised area.
If an immigration officer seizes and detains the vehicle under subsection (2), the immigration officer must —
immediately inform a police officer of the seizure;
hand over the vehicle to a police officer; and
inform the driver or person in charge of the vehicle of the basis on which the vehicle is seized and detained.
Despite any other written law, if —
the vehicle satisfies the condition mentioned in subsection (1)(b)(i); and
the driver or person in charge of the vehicle is within or in the vicinity of an authorised area,an immigration officer may, without warrant, arrest the driver or person.