N.M. Stat. § 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.