Customs bid to stop smugglers at Robin Hood Airport
28.07.06
Customs officers at Robin Hood Airport have launched an offensive against the growing number of holidaymakers attempting to import banned or restricted goods. As the holiday season gets into full swing officers have reported an increase in the number of knives and offensive weapons being brought in through the airport.
WIthin the last few weeks they have seized a number of dangerous butterfly knives and cigarette lighter 'flick knives' rom passengers. A number of telescopic night sticks - which are classed as an offensive weapon and are banned in the UK - were also found.
Other popular, but banned, items found in the luggage of returning holidaymakers include obscene or pornographic material, including illustrated playing cards. Earlier this year customs staff even intercepted a passenger attempting to smuggle in a kilo ofrare 'antelope' fish which were frozen and hidden inside his suitcase.
John Kinghorn, HM Revenue and Customs' Head of Detection said: 'We get a lot of passengers through Robin Hood Airport who either exceed their duty free limit or who attempt to bring in banned or restricted goods. The majority of these travellers genuinely do not realise they are breaking the law.'
