A consumer protection and antitrust division is created under the attorney general. This division consists of a director and such other personnel as may be appointed by the attorney general. The division shall act to enforce the consumer fraud laws and act with regard to the use or employment by any person of any deceptive act or practice, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation with the intent that others rely thereon in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise, whether or not any person has in fact been misled, deceived, or damaged thereby, and shall make full investigation of such activities and maintain adequate facilities for filing reports, examining persons and merchandise in regard thereto, and storing impounded books, records, accounts, papers, and samples of merchandise relating to same. The division shall cooperate with other governmental agencies, national, state, or local, and with all peace officers of the state in regard thereto. The division also shall investigate antitrust violations and enforce antitrust laws.