12.—(1) A price inspector if so authorised by the Price Controller or any Deputy Price Controller in writing or any police officer or officer of customs if so authorised by the Price Controller in writing may —
(a)
arrest without warrant any person whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence under this Act if such person refuses to furnish his name and address or furnishes an address outside Singapore or there are reasonable grounds for believing that he has furnished a false name or address or that he is likely to abscond:
Provided that when any person has been arrested as aforesaid he shall be thereafter dealt with as provided by section 64 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010; and
[15/2010 wef 02/01/2011]
(b)
seize any article which he considers it necessary to seize in relation to the evidence necessary to establish the commission of any such offence.
(2) A price inspector if so authorised by the Price Controller or a Deputy Price Controller and any police officer not below the rank of sergeant may without the order of the Public Prosecutor exercise the special powers in relation to police investigations given by the Criminal Procedure Code in any seizable case.
[34/73]
(3) Any prosecution in respect of an offence under this Act may be conducted by the Public Prosecutor or by a Deputy Public Prosecutor or, with the authorisation of the Public Prosecutor, by the Price Controller or by any officer appointed under this Act or under the Control of Essential Supplies Act [Cap. 55] or by any police officer not below the rank of sergeant.