(1) An authorised officer may, until the start of a proceeding for an offence against this Act in relation to the seized thing and (if necessary) during the proceeding:
(a) keep the thing at the place where it was found; or
(b) remove the thing to another place and keep it there in the officer's possession or under the officer's control.
(2) If the thing is kept under subsection (1)(a), an authorised officer:
(a) must ensure the thing is identified in a way that indicates it has been seized under this Act; and
(b) may physically segregate the thing.
Examples for subsection (2)
1 The seized thing could be placed in an appropriately labelled container.
2 A barrier with appropriate signs could be placed around the seized thing.
(3) A person commits an offence if the person:
(a) interferes with or disposes of the seized thing; or
(b) removes the seized thing from:
(i) the place it was seized; or
(ii) the place to which it was removed by an authorised officer.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has the written consent of the CHO.