Customs officers in Jersey may be given more powers

Customs officers in Jersey could be given more powers to help investigate crimes committed elsewhere.

At the moment only the police can assist with investigations outside the island.

With a warrant police can search premises where it was thought there could be evidence relating to a serious offence committed abroad.

In a change to a proposed new law, customs officers could be given the same powers to conduct searches.

In his proposition, the Home Affairs minister Senator Ian Le Marquand said it would allow them to help their French customs counterparts when drugs seizures are made.

The States will debate the draft Criminal Justice International Co-operation law on 17 January.