17.—(1) In addition to the general powers conferred by section 35(1) of the Act and the powers conferred by the foregoing rules, an agricultural officer may at any time —
(a)
enter and inspect any premises or stop, detain, board or inspect any conveyance where he has reason to believe that such premises or conveyance has been used or is being used in connection with the importation of any fresh fruit or vegetable for sale or supply in Singapore;
(b)
open and examine any container or receptacle which —
(i)
contains or which the agricultural officer reasonably believes to contain; or
(ii)
has been used or is being used or which the agricultural officer reasonably believes to have been used or to be being used in connection with the importation into Singapore of,
any fresh fruit or vegetable;
(c)
require any importer of fresh fruit or vegetable to state his name and place of residence and business or to furnish such other particulars as the agricultural officer may reasonably require;
(d)
require any importer to produce such documents, books or records which relates to or which the agricultural officer reasonably believes to relate to, the importation of any fresh fruit or vegetable for sale or supply in Singapore;
(e)
seize or detain any consignment in respect of which he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence has been committed under the Act or these Rules; and
(f)
do such other act or thing as may be reasonable or necessary for the purpose of carrying out his duties under these Rules.
(2) Any person who obstructs any agricultural officer in the exercise of his powers under this rule shall be guilty of an offence.