Section 11: Power of entry

11. Power of entry (1) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), an authorised officer may, at any time on producing the certificate of authorisation issued under section 3, enter any premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is or has been on the premises any contravention of this Act or of any regulations made under this Act. (b) No authorised officer shall enter premises used only as a private dwelling house without a warrant signed by a Magistrate, unless the occupier consents to the entry. [Issue 1] F18 – 8 Revised Laws of Mauritius (2) Where a Magistrate, on receiving a sworn affirmation in writing, is satisfied that there is reasonable ground for entry into any premises for any purpose specified in subsection (1) and— (a) that admission to the premises has been refused, or refusal is apprehended, and that notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier; or (b) that an application for admission, or the giving of that notice would defeat the object of the entry, or that the case is one of urgency, or the occupier is temporarily absent, the Magistrate may, by warrant signed by him, authorise the authorised officer to enter the premises. (3) Every warrant granted under this section shall continue to be in force for a period of one month. (4) An authorised officer who enters any premises by virtue of this section, may be accompanied by such person or persons as he considers necessary, and on leaving any unoccupied premises which he has entered by virtue of the warrant, shall leave the premises as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as he found them.