CLUB NEWS GREAT HARWOOD DISTRICT WI

BRIAN Topping entertained members with a very informative talk about his life as a Customs Officer.

He worked at Heathrow, Manchester and for the Cabinet Office, starting his career by joining the Civil Service and later training new officers.

The work can be amusing such as when an Irishman whom when his “holy water” was declared to be a spirit, said that it “Was a miracle”. Sometimes famous people are not recognised by the officers which can cause embarrassment.

Brian’s work involved catching those smuggling items such as drugs into the country.

Certain qualities are needed to do this and many examples of these being used were given.

Observation of how a person presents themselves to Customs is vital as is an enquiring mind.

A mother with three unruly children had cheap luggage but also a Delsey suitcase and the key given to the officer was unable to unlock it so she then said that it was not her case.

He checked with Delsey and found that the key was for a brief case.

Crowbarred open the case contained clothes and heroin and the lady got nine years in prison.

Officers rely on context, their craft involves knowledge of airports, how they deal with luggage from airport to plane, which luggage may have been adapted to carry drugs, which countries drugs are coming from directly or in transit and knowledge of current events.

In moments they observe people’s body language, how dressed and whom they are with.

Also, they have their own undercover operations liaising with the police etc to gain information.

Information suggested that a Miss World contestant was involved with smuggling so Brian liaised with his counterparts in other countries exchanging information often through the night.

One kilo of cocaine was found in her suitcase in London and when he returned to his wife at 5.30am he told her that he’d been all night with a Miss World contestant.

The next speaker meeting will be held from 7pm to 9pm on Tuesday, April 9 2024 at Trinity URC Methodist Church on King Street in Great Harwood.

During the meeting there will be a talk by Donna on “Hedgehog Rescue”. Visitors and prospective members are very welcome.