If a police officer not below the rank of Inspector in any of the circumstances referred to in section 77 has reasonable cause to believe that by reason of delay in obtaining a search warrant under that section the investigation would be adversely affected or evidence of the commission of an offence is likely to be tampered with, removed, damaged or destroyed, such officer may enter such premises and exercise in, upon and in respect of the premises all the powers referred to in section 77 in as full and ample a manner as if he were authorized to do so by a warrant issued under that section.