Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2022)

89.   Powers of entry

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    (1)   Admission to any premises shall not be demanded unless 24 hours' notice of the intended entry has been given to the owner or occupier.

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    (2)   If it is shown to the satisfaction of a magistrate on sworn information in writing—

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      (a)     that admission to any premises was refused, or that refusal is apprehended, or that the giving of notice would defeat the object of the entry; and

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      (b)     that there is reasonable ground for entry into the premises for the purposes of this Act,

the magistrate may by warrant under his or her hand authorise the Comptroller or any authorised officer in writing by him or her to enter the premises, if need be by force. Where it is shown to the satisfaction of the magistrate that the giving of notice would defeat the object of the entry, the provisions of this section shall apply despite anything to the contrary in the preceding subsection.

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    (3)   An authorised officer entering any premises by virtue of this section, or of a warrant issued thereunder, may take with him or her such other persons as may be necessary.

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    (4)   Every warrant granted under this section shall continue in force until the purpose for which the entry is necessary has been satisfied.

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    (5)   Every person who hinders or molests or interferes with any person doing anything that he or she is authorised to do or prevents or attempts to prevent any person from doing any such thing and any person who unless he or she is unable to do so fails or refuses to do anything he or she is required by or under this or the preceding section to do commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500 or to imprisonment for 2 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.