The Police of Puerto Rico and the special investigation force created by §§ 1247—1257 of this title are hereby instructed and directed to seize, upon a search warrant issued by a competent magistrate, when said search warrant is necessary and to place at the disposal of the proper court, any mimeograph, device, material, coin, tool, or implement, in use or which may be used to operate and circulate the business of the games generally known as “ Bolita ”, “ Bolipool ”, clandestine combinations connected with the “pools” or “ bancas ” of the racetracks of Puerto Rico, and clandestine lotteries, and to arrest all persons who violate the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title; Provided, That by “competent magistrate”, with sufficient authority to issue search warrants under the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title shall be understood [to be] the judges of the Courts of First Instance and District Courts and justices of the peace, in their respective jurisdictions.
History —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 2.