If you are in a place or vehicle that a police officer is searching under section 20, they can search you without a warrant. The police officer is allowed to do this because you are in or on the place or vehicle they are searching. They can search you even if they do not have a warrant to search you specifically.
This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.
This page was last updated on
View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM2136656.
20: Warrantless search of places and vehicles in relation to some Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 offences, or
"Police can search without a warrant if they think a place or vehicle has illegal drugs and they need to act fast."
22: Warrantless power to search for controlled drugs and precursor substances if offence suspected against Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, or
"Police can search you without a warrant if they think you have illegal drugs and suspect a crime."
A constable conducting a search of a place or vehicle under section 20 may, without a warrant, search any person found in or on the place or vehicle.
