Search, Seizure, and Arrest 

SECTION 1480 . Persons Having Police Authority . — For the effectuation of the customs laws, the following persons are authorized to effect searches, seizures, and arrests conformably with the provisions of said laws: 

( a ) Insular officials of the Bureau of Customs, collectors of customs, deputy collectors, surveyors, inspectors, and secret-service agents of the Bureau of Customs. 

( b ) Officers of any revenue cutter. 

( c ) Any person thereunto especially authorized in writing by the Insular Collector. 

[355-320.] 

( d ) Officers generally empowered by law to effect arrests and execute the process of courts, when acting under direction of a collector of customs. 

( e ) Any person thereunto especially authorized by a collector of customs, subject to the restrictions stated in the next succeeding section hereof. 

[355-321.] 

Persons exercising the powers hereinabove conferred shall, in the exercise thereof, have the same authority, be entitled to the same protection, and be governed by the same rules of law, not inconsistent with the provisions of this article, as other office rs exercising police powers in general. 

[1576-2; Comp., 1711.] 

SECTION 1481 . Place where Authority may be Exercised.  — Persons acting under authority conferred pursuant to subsection ( e ) of the preceding section may exercise their authority within the limits of the collection district only and in or upon the particula r vessel, or in the particular place, or in respect to the particular merchandise specified in the appointment. All such appointments shall be in writing, and the original shall be filed in the customhouse of the district where made. 

All other persons exercising the powers hereinabove contemplated may exercise the same at any place within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs. 

