### Question
How does the law define officer of the customs?


### Answer
Under *19 U.S.C. § 1709*, **officer of the customs** is defined as:

> any officer of the Customs Service or any commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard, or agent or other person authorized by law or by the Secretary of the Treasury, or appointed in writing by a collector, to perform the duties of an officer of the Customs Service

#### Citation:
  - *19 U.S.C. § 1709*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 5-SMUGGLING**

