§860. Collector authorized to search and seize

The collector is given the power and authority to search and examine any warehouse, boat, store, storeroom, automobile, truck, conveyance, vehicle or any and all places of storage, or any and all means of transportation, wherein there is probable cause to believe that the terms of this Chapter have been or are being violated. Provided, that any automobile, truck, boat, conveyance, vehicle or other means of transportation, other than a common carrier, caught or detected transporting any of the articles taxed by this Chapter, without the tax herein provided for being paid as herein provided, or a bond furnished to guarantee the payment of the tax, may be seized by the collector in order to secure the same as evidence in a trial brought under this section.

No place, other than such as is open to the public, shall be invaded and searched for articles taxed by this Chapter except by an officer named in a search warrant issued by a competent court having the power of a committing magistrate upon the filing in the court of an affidavit reciting that affiant has reasons to believe and believes that the named place is being utilized as a site for the violation of the provisions of this Chapter together with such additional evidence as the court may require to make out a prima facie case. No house, room, or apartment used as, or which apparently is, a bona fide residence is subject to invasion and search, except by an officer designated in a search warrant issued by a competent court having the powers of a committing magistrate, upon the filing in the court of an affidavit by two reliable persons reciting that they have reasons to believe and do believe that the place of residence is being used as a cloak or cover for a violation of the provisions of this Chapter and setting forth the specific violation being committed therein, together with such additional corroborating evidence as the court may require to establish the probable existence of the alleged violation.

The warrant shall be directed to a duly authorized peace officer and the premises described in the warrant shall be searched and all articles taxed by this Chapter, all equipment, and all property used or designed or intended to be used in the keeping for sale or sale, of articles taxed by this Chapter on the premises shall be seized by the peace officer. The keeper of the place or the person to whom the property belongs shall be apprehended and brought before the court issuing the warrant to abide the further orders of the court. The officer to whom the search warrant is directed shall make proper return thereon of the action taken on it, describing the commodities or property seized, if any. The commodities or property so seized shall be held by this officer without anyone having the right to have them released upon writ or claim, except commodities seized in a bona fide dwelling house. These last shall be released to their owner upon his giving bond, with security for their value conditioned upon their return to the peace officer upon order of the court.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 18, §1.