CUSTOMS officers are being stretched to the limit. As drug traffickers, identity fraudsters and alcohol and tobacco smugglers increasingly target the island, staff are under pressure to perform.
Chief officer Rob Prow said that, despite such demands, the success rate showed its methods were working.
‘The pressure on the front line of the Customs service has never been greater,’ he said.
‘Public expectations are rightly very high and we achieve, I believe, excellent results.’
Customs employs 20 uniformed detection officers who deal with more than 1.2m. passenger movements each year.
Those are deployed over three shifts at the harbour, airport, post office and freight depots.
However, its main strategy is to target top-end traffickers and prevent drugs being smuggled into the island.
‘This is done by working with the police and using intelligence,’ said Mr Prow.
‘The remainder of the law enforcement resources are used for covert surveillance purposes to tackle the drug syndicates operating in the island.’
In 2005, Customs seized almost £800,000 worth of illegal drugs.
There were also 169 confiscations of smuggled alcohol and tobacco, six of offensive weapons, including Taser stun guns, and 32 of pornography.
‘This indicates our methods are working. The only way we can control drug trafficking and border security is by using intelligence, profiling techniques and by risk testing.’
Customs recently received some criticism from a female passenger following a luggage search at the airport.
Mr Prow emphasised that a thorough investigation had been carried out and the complaint was found to be unsubstantiated. The complainant has since been told of the findings.
‘Customs and Immigration receives support and co-operation from the vast majority of the public.
‘Complaints are actually very rare and officers are professional, committed and well trained.
‘Customs checks, along with airport security examinations, are part and parcel of the world we live in now.
‘If someone is stopped, it doesn’t necessarily mean we think they are smuggling drugs, but it’s something that needs to be done.’
Last week Jersey Customs revealed it would have to cut the number of its officers due to a funding crisis.
Mr Prow did not expect that to happen here.
‘Adequate resourcing for both the police and Customs is strongly supported by the Home Department.’
The service has also been called on to check greater volumes of commercial freight traffic and post and pressure has been increased by financial crime, including the proceeds of crime and investigating money laundering.
Mr Prow said that last area was being dealt with jointly with the police and the resources and working methods were currently under review.
Article posted on 10th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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