Drugs and children's books Guilty secrets - drugs seizure Front
covers of innocent-looking books Some people are prepared to
exploit the innocent appearance of children’s books and toys, in
their attempts to smuggle illegal items into the country. These
two books were seized by Customs from two passengers arriving at
Heathrow Airport. At first glance they appear quite harmless - a
hard-backed children's encyclopaedia and photo album. On closer
inspection heroin was found hidden in the covers of both books.
A carefully constructed concealment using carbon paper was used
to cover the drug. The smugglers hoped this would help avoid
detection during x-ray examinations. The passengers had arrived
from the Far East and claimed not to know one another. However
photographs showing the two together were found in the album.
These books are not the only example of children's belongings
being used to hide illicit goods. In another incident Customs
Officers have even found a stash of diamonds in a tube of
germaline. Other