23-5-113. Department as criminal justice agency. The department is a criminal justice agency whose designated agents are granted peace officer status, with the power of search, seizure, and arrest. Agents are authorized to investigate gambling activities in this state regulated by parts 1 through 8 of this chapter and the rules of the department, to report violations to the county attorney of the county in which they occur, to investigate and report on activities related to liquor and tobacco administration under Title 16, and to act as appointed by the attorney general.