§7731 Inspections, seizures, and warrants

Summary

Activities under this law must follow guidelines approved by the Attorney General. The Secretary may stop and inspect, without a warrant, any person or vehicle coming into the United States to check for plants, plant products, pests, noxious weeds, biological control organisms, or other items covered by the law. The Secretary may also stop people or vehicles in interstate travel if there is good reason to believe they carry those items. Inside a State, the Secretary may stop movement from or within areas under a quarantine during an extraordinary emergency declared under section 7715 if there is good reason to believe regulated items are being moved. The Secretary may enter private or commercial premises in the United States only with a warrant to investigate, inspect, or seize regulated plants or related things. A U.S. judge, a judge of a court of record, or a U.S. magistrate can issue that warrant within their authority if a sworn statement shows good reason to believe the regulated items are on the premises. The Secretary or a U.S. Marshal may apply for and execute the warrant.