Criminal Code (Cap. 9), article 314D

314D. (1) Where the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta receives, or is informed about, a request made by or on behalf of a judicial, prosecuting, law enforc ement, administrative or other competent authority of any State or place other than or outside Malta (hereinafter in this article referred to as the "requesti ng authority") seeking authorisatio n for the competent authorities of that State or place to take appropriate measures in regard to a relevant vessel reasonably suspected to be engaged in the commission of a relevant offence the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta may, with the conc urrence of the Prime Minister , authorise the taking of the said measures by the aforesaid competent authorities subject to such conditions as may have be en agreed by Malta with that State or as may be agreed between the requesting authority and the co mmander of the Armed Forces of Malta with the concurrence of the Prime Minister. (2) Where the authorisation has been given by the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta as aforesaid the competent authoritie s referred to in sub-article (1), subject to the conditions as ma y have been agreed upon as provided in the same sub-article, shall be authorised to take the appropriate measures and to exercise on board the vessel in regard to whi ch appropriate measures have b een authorised under this article all such powers of arrest, entry, search and seizure as are vested in t he executive police of Malta. (3) For the purpose of this article: "relevant offence" means any of fence consisting in any act or omission which if committed in these islands, or in correspondi ng circumstances, would constitute any of the offences in articles 313, 314B, 314C, 314CA and 314CC; "relevant vessel" means a vessel used for commercial or private purposes flying or entitled to fly the flag of Malta or registe red in Malta and exercising freedom of navigation in accordance with international law. Setting on fire of arsenals, etc. Amended by: XXI.1971.22; XLIX.1981.4.