Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

15.   Application for Warrant

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    (1)   The Department shall, if necessary under section 13(5) make an application to a magistrate on behalf of an authorized officer for a warrant to exercise the powers under section 13.

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    (2)   Where an application for a warrant is made under subsection (1), the magistrate may issue a warrant to an authorized officer who is named in the warrant, to enter and carry out an investigation at the premises of a business place as specified in the warrant.

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    (3)   A magistrate shall not issue a warrant under subsection (2) unless —

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      (a)     an affidavit has been furnished by the authorized officer to the magistrate setting out the grounds on which the issue of the warrant is being sought;

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      (b)     the authorized officer or some other person has given to the magistrate such further information, if any, on oath as the magistrate requires concerning the grounds on which the issue of the warrant is being sought; and

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      (c)     the magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for issuing the warrant.

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    (4)   A warrant issued under subsection (2) must specify —

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      (a)     the purpose for which the warrant is issued;

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      (b)     the hours within which entry is authorized;

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      (c)     the type of documents, goods or samples of goods authorized to be inspected or taken; and

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      (d)     the date, not being less than 7 days after the day on which the warrant is issued, after which the warrant ceases to have effect.