Section 27. Powers to certain officers to search houses, etc. without warrant.

2[When any Revenue Officer not below the rank of a Naib-Tehsildar or a Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector or any officer of the 1[Excise Department] not below the rank of Inspector in any locality to which this Act applies has reasons to believe that an offence under this Act has been committed, and that if steps are taken to obtain a search warrant under the last preceding section, it is likely to go undetected, he may, after recording his reasons and the grounds of his belief, at any time by day or night, enter and search any place and may seize anything found therein which he has reason to believe to be liable to confiscation under this Act and may detain and search and, if he thinks proper arrest any person found in such place whom he has reason to believe to be guilty of any offence under this Act.