Whenever there is reason to believe that a nuisance as defined in this article is kept, maintained or exists in any county, the district attorney, in the name of the people, shall, or any citizen of the State resident in the county, in his own name, may, maintain an action to abate and prevent the nuisance and perpetually to enjoin the person or persons conducting or maintaining it, whether as principal, agent, servant, employee or otherwise, from directly or indirectly maintaining or permitting the nuisance.

Unless filed by the district attorney, the complaint in the action shall be verified.

In any such action the plaintiff, at the time of issuing the summons, or at any time afterward, may have the means of conveyance, with its tackle, apparel and furniture, seized and kept as security for the satisfaction of any judgment that may be entered in the action.