topic Re: Arriving in Australia in Community Spirit

Arriving in Australia

meh_too — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:04:09 GMT

Does anyone know under what criteria a Customs Officer can conduct a cavity search? And what are the rules regarding cavity searches? I have googled but cannot find anything specific on it.

Does an individual have the right to refuse?

Re: Arriving in Australia

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:06:41 GMT

not 100% sure meh too

but i think you can refuse and then they send you for a scan !

Re: Arriving in Australia

**meep** — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:19:32 GMT

this might help

http://www.aussielegal.com.au/informationoutline~nocache~1~SubTopicDetailsID~960.htm

If a detention officer or police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that a detained person is internally concealing a suspicious substance then the person can be internally searched if they provide written consent. If written consent is not provided then customs officials or the police can apply to a court for an order for an internal search of the person being detained.

Re: Arriving in Australia

meh_too — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:28:08 GMT

Thanks meep.

So then how do they determine 'reasonable grounds'

What they look like? Their port of origin?

Re: Arriving in Australia

freddie*rooster — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:32:32 GMT

It could be any number of reasons, like the number of times they have travelled to various countries, criminal history, acting suspicious, positive swab test result on their luggage.

Re: Arriving in Australia

topsidesoul — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:34:09 GMT

Coming into the US, almost anything, no joke.

Do not look like the type of person and do not be rude to customs or you will be taken aside and gloved.

Re: Arriving in Australia

**meep** — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:35:37 GMT

@meh_too wrote:
Thanks meep.

So then how do they determine 'reasonable grounds'

What they look like? Their port of origin?

I guess they are trained to look for certain behaviour. Some people may appear nervous and when questioned their behaviour may become increasingly suspicious. Sniffer dogs may detect a residue, the reason for visiting may not seem genuine.....Trying to remember what else I saw on Border Security LOL

Re: Arriving in Australia

meh_too — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:38:58 GMT

This happened to my son on his return to Aust. I cannot tell you how frikken angry I am about it. He's 25, looks 16 and has been away for 4 years. Welcome home mate.........

He can't wait to leave again

Re: Arriving in Australia

acacia_pycnantha — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:43:10 GMT

I wonder whether where he returned from had any bearing on the decision to search him?

Re: Arriving in Australia

**meep** — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:44:53 GMT

Oh no. Did they not give him any explanation?

edit: typo

Re: Arriving in Australia

meh_too — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:53:52 GMT

I thought that may have a bearing on it. It was Amsterdam.... yeah yeah I know. But not every young person who comes in from Holland is a drug dealer.

She wanted to know what he was doing there (living and working for 4 years) and who bought his plane ticket (me)

I was too busy screaming and yelling when I overheard him tell his father to get the whole story and now I dont want to ask him about it cos I think I will just get madder.

I feel like tearing that b itches head off

Re: Arriving in Australia

green.fields — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:22:58 GMT

You may feel like that however they have a job to do and I find it is best to co-operate, that way you get through quicker. The fact that he was young, was coming in from Amsterdam probably raised the flag....Yes it is a bit insulting but believe me a cross section of the public gets pulled up.... How about me, racing to connect to a flight in Sydney going to the US and I got pulled aside for a drug check, little ole innocent me, not young. My name was on a list, a list I say, with other names. Just a cross section of people they wanted to check.

Re: Arriving in Australia

acacia_pycnantha — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:46:30 GMT

Young, coming from Amsterdam on a ticket bought for him by someone else.

What does he look like? Clothing? Hairstyle?

I once got taken aside in an airport for a spot check where they waved this electronic wand-like object over me and over my clothes.

I have very short hair and a very short beard. So maybe I also fitted their "profiling" criteria, whatever they are.

I asked the official what indications I gave for being singled out and he said, it was just a random check based on no indicators.

(edit for typo)

Re: Arriving in Australia

darksideofthemoon — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:27:23 GMT

Meh too, don't take it personally, it can happen to anyone and, really it's no big deal. I know it can send you round the twist if you think that he was chosen because he looked like a drug dealer, but that isn't the way it works.

Every country around the world is doing this, so don't let him think his 'land of birth' is especially one place he would rather not be, he could be searched again when he arrives back in Amsterdam... it's the risk people are taking who travel.

As the others have said, they do a cross section of the people arriving. It also deters those being used to bring the drugs in if they believe they could be hauled over for no good reason.

What amazes me is that a cavity search is one thing, but what about those who still have the containers in their stomachs? Are they scanned?

Re: Arriving in Australia

azureline** — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:38:21 GMT

I feel for your son but......... it is what we do to keep drugs out. Do you think the customs officer wanted to do a cavity search?

Re: Arriving in Australia

meh_too — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:53:20 GMT

Yes I do Az, she told him his bag tested positive for cocaine and something else (I cant remember) He didnt believe her and neither do I.

Her attitude was beligerent . I can believe that.

I have travelled all over the world and the only time I get this attitude from customs is when I arrive back in Brisbane.

Welcome to Australia (or should I just say Queensland) Land of tin pot dictators.

Re: Arriving in Australia

***super_nova*** — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:38:07 GMT

@meh_too wrote:
Yes I do Az, she told him his bag tested positive for cocaine and something else (I cant remember) He didnt believe her and neither do I.

Her attitude was belligerent . I can believe that.

I have travelled all over the world and the only time I get this attitude from customs is when I arrive back in Brisbane.

You must be joking! Do you really believe that the officer enjoys doing that? So, your son's luggage "tested positive for cocaine" or whatever; it could have for part of the journey sat next to bag containing cocaine, or there was some cocaine in that bag in other time & the sniff dog picked it up.

If you think your son was treated unfairly I am sure there are ways to complain.

Re: Arriving in Australia

meh_too — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:45:27 GMT

Deadly serious - an official complaint is next

Re: Arriving in Australia

green.fields — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 23:49:42 GMT

Good luck with the complaint. I too have travelled to many parts of the world and let me tell you there are far worse places than Australia in regards to how a person is treated. I do understand how upsetting it was for him but they are doing their jobs and there are 3 sides to every story.

Re: Arriving in Australia

grumpy*cat*rocks — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:49:36 GMT

I'm sorry but I think you just need to calm down.

The customs person was doing their job, pure and simple. Unfortunately it was your son who was pulled over, it could have been anyone.

I'm sure he was upset, but if he had nothing to hide then just grit the teeth and get it over with.

On our return trip from the UK early last year (via a stopover in Thailand) I saw an elderly man pulled over for a customs search. It's a random thing, and perhaps the fact that his luggage tested positive was why he was flagged.

As someone else said the bag may have brushed up against another bag that did have cocaine in it, who knows what happens once luggage disappears after check in.

Addit: sorry I have read this again and realise your son underwent a cavity search. As far as I know yes you can refuse this. In which case they would do an xray I'd imagine.

I can understand a body pat down/search but not a cavity search. However, as far as I know unless they have valid reasons for suspecting concealment you can refuse this from being done.