(1) If it appears to a Magistrate, upon written information on oath and after such inquiry as he considers necessary, that there is reasonable cause to believe that an offence under this Act or its subsidiary legislation is being or has been committed on any premises, or that any evidence or thing which is necessary to the conduct of an investigation into an offence may be found in any premises, the Magistrate may issue a warrant authorising any police officer not below the rank of Inspector, or any authorised officer named in it, to enter the premises at any reasonable time by day or by night, with or without assistance and if need be by force, and there to search for and seize any such evidence or thing.

 

(2) Without affecting the generality of subsection (1), the warrant issued by the Magistrate may authorise the search and seizure of —
 

(a) copies of any books, accounts or other documents, including computerised data, which contain or are reasonably suspected to contain information as to any offence so suspected to have been committed;

 

(b) any signboard, card, letter, pamphlet, leaflet or notice representing or implying that the person has a licence granted or assignment issued under this Act; or

 

(c) any other document, facility, apparatus, equipment, device or matter that is reasonably believed to furnish evidence of the commission of the offence.
 

(3) A police officer or an authorised officer conducting a search under subsection (1) may, for the purpose of investigating into the offence, search any person who is in or on the premises.

 

(4) A police officer or an authorised officer making a search of a person under subsection (3) may seize, or take possession of, and place in safe custody all things, other than the necessary clothing, found upon the person, and any other things, for which there is reason to believe that they are the instruments or other evidence of the crime, and they may be detained until the discharge or acquittal of the person.

 

(5) Whenever it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency.

 

(6) If, by reason of its nature, size or amount, it is not practicable to remove any book, accounts, document, computerised data, signboard, card, letter, pamphlet, leaflet, notice, facility, apparatus, equipment, device, thing or matter seized under this section, the seizing officer shall, by any means, seal such book, accounts, document, computerised data, signboard, card, letter, pamphlet, leaflet, notice, facility, apparatus, equipment, device, thing or matter in the premises or container in which it is found.

 

(7) A person who, without lawful authority, breaks, tampers with or damages the seal referred to in subsection (6) or removes any book, accounts, document, computerised data, signboard, card, letter, pamphlet, leaflet, notice, facility, apparatus, equipment, device, thing or matter under seal or attempts to do so commits an offence.

 

(8) If a search under this section indicates that there is any interference-causing equipment, radio apparatus or radio-sensitive equipment, the authorised officer may direct that necessary steps be taken to ensure an interference-free environment.