Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

16.   Entry, search and seizure

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    (1)   Subject to subsection (3), where a Magistrate is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that evidence relating to an offence under this Act is to be found on any premises specified in the information, a Magistrate may issue a warrant in accordance with subsection (2).

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    (2)   A warrant issued under subsection (1) may authorize a constable named in the warrant to enter the premises specified in the warrant, with such assistance and by the use of such force as is necessary and reasonable to—

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      (a)     enter upon the premises;

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      (b)     search the premises for evidence relating to an offence under this Act; and

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      (c)     seize any article, vehicle or property found in the course of the search that the constable believes, on reasonable grounds, to be evidence of or relating to an offence under this Act.

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    (3)   A Magistrate shall not issue a warrant under this section unless the informant or some other person has given the Magistrate, on oath, such further information as the Magistrate may require concerning the grounds on which the issue of the warrant is sought.

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    (4)   A warrant issued under this section must include—

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      (a)     a statement of the purpose for which the warrant is issued, and a reference to the nature of the offence of trafficking;

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      (b)     a description of the kind of article, vehicle or property to be seized;

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      (c)     the time, not being later than 14 days, upon the expiration of which the warrant ceases to have effect; and

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      (d)     a statement as to whether entry is authorized to be made at any time of the day or night, or during specified hours of the day or night.