Commentary on Sections Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (c.37)
671.The effect of the amendments of the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 is to keep in force sections 55 and 56 of the 1994 Act, together with their ancillary provisions, which permit the police and HM Customs to obtain production orders and search warrants for the purpose of an investigation into drug trafficking. These powers are used to conduct investigations into drug trafficking offences, with a view to a prosecution, as well as into the proceeds of drug trafficking. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, there is a new power for the enforcement authorities to obtain a production order and a search warrant for the purposes of an investigation into the proceeds of any criminal conduct, which would include drug trafficking proceeds, but the new power does not cover investigations into drug trafficking offences. It has therefore been decided to keep the existing powers in force.