prohibit the person to possess fire or other arms and impound the weapon

The case had arisen in the context of trade sanctions against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the 1990s. A Security Council resolution requiring United Nations Member States to impound any aircraft found in their territory originating from that country had been implemented in European Community law.

In the present case it is not disputed that the act about which the applicant complained, the detention of the aircraft leased by it for a period of time, was implemented by the authorities of the respondent State on its territory following a decision to impound of the Irish Minister for Transport.

2.8.a As for import and export control operations, Act No. 20 (1998), on Customs, empowers customs officers to inspect persons, ships and merchandise, and confers on them the status of judicial police officers with the authority to investigate offences against customs regulations and to impound merchandise. Article 179 (a) of the Act provides as follows