Section 77-9-51 - Suspected transportation of stolen livestock; search of vehicles; requiring proof of ownership; arrest; seizure. - New Mexico Statutes

77-9-51. [Suspected transportation of stolen livestock; search of vehicles; requiring proof of ownership; arrest; seizure.]

Any duly authorized inspector or peace officer of any county in this state is hereby authorized to stop and search, without warrant, any motor or other vehicle which they may have reason to believe is transporting stolen livestock or the carcasses thereof, in their respective counties, and if any be found, demand from the person or persons operating said motor or other vehicle, that they produce proof of ownership, and should any person or persons transporting said livestock or the carcasses thereof be unable to produce proof of ownership to such inspector or peace officer, said inspector or officer is hereby authorized and empowered to arrest, without warrant, any person or persons operating said motor or other vehicle and take possession of the same and the livestock or carcasses therein, and shall retain such possession until the person or persons operating such motor or other vehicle can produce satisfactory evidence that he or they, or the person or persons, firm or corporation for whom the same is being transported, is the lawful owner of such livestock or the carcasses, or until such livestock or carcasses are disposed of as hereinafter provided.