And be it enacted, That it shall be lawful for any Constable to take into Custody every Person who, for the Purpose of preventing the Seizure or Discovery of any Materials, Furniture, Stores, or Merchandize belonging to or having been Part of the Cargo of any Ship, Boat, or Vessel lying in the River Thames or the Docks or Creeks adjacent thereto, or of any other Articles unlawfully obtained from any such Ship or Vessel, shall wilfully let fall or throw into the River, or in any other Manner convey away from any Ship, Boat, or Vessel, Wharf, Quay, or Landing Place, any such Article, or who shall be accessory to any such Offence, and also to seize and detain any Boat in which such Person shall be found or out of which any Article shall be so let fall, thrown, or conveyed away ; and every such Person shall be deemed guilty of a Misdemeanor.