damage to luggage and post at airports after a drugs check

[joko]

just curious...

i have watched a few of those border control tv shows, that shows the life of customs officers

and i just wondered about, when they do a search, they often cut seams, make holes, split things etc of luggage but also their belongings...and mostly they are right, something is concealed...but sometimes, there is nothing there and they have damaged an innocent passengers luggage or goods...

so just wondered if they had to pay for it?
i would be most annoyed if my belongings had holes drilled in them or slits cut for no reason.

i understand they are doing their job and have no problem with that, but that doesnt mean they can destroy innocent property, surely?

anyone know the procedure here?

thanks

[EDDIE51]

I don't know but last year a man I know ordered a load of cricket bats from India , they were for a local team. When they arrived there were holes drilled into them , he found it was customs checking them for drugs ! They were useless and he is still trying to get compensation.

[ChuckFickens]

http://www.hmrc.gov.u...crgmanual/crg5600.htm

[EDDIE51]

I'll let him know that Chuck, I think they are arguing that the bats can be repaired rather than replaced but a cricket bat with a hole even if it is repaired is useless.

[MartinBev58]

I had my case cut years ago as the drugs dog was taking an interest. I do not know why as I was not carrying any drugs. The only explanation the customs officer could offer was my case must have come in contact wth a drugs user. The dog took no interest in me and I was not searched.
My case was tatty but it was functional.
I tried to put a claim in but the reply I got was my case was very near the end of its life anyway.
I did not persue the matter but I thought I should have been given a nominal amount say £5.

Martin

[TWR]

A few years ago I asked this question to a bloke that I was going to drive for, the trips where to Holland, if the customs stripped a HGV completely to find drugs & there was no drugs found who was responsible to put everything back in order. the customs.

[MartinBev58]

Hi ChuckFickens

From what you have put on this thread it looks as if I should have had a new case.
Another point. If my case was unuseable after the search should the customs have supplied me with something to carry my clothes home?.

Martin