U.S. Customs Officers Destroy New Zealand Cricketer's Bat to Look for Drugs
Aug 10, 2014, 3:02 pm
#1
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U.S. Customs Officers Destroy New Zealand Cricketer's Bat to Look for Drugs
Late last week, NZ cricket player Jimmy Neesham Tweeted this photo...
...where it appears as if the bat in the picture had 4 holes drilled into it after an apparent drug test/search.
He later clarified that the picture he shared was of his teammate's bat, West Indian cricketer Lendl Simmons.
Both were a part of a cricket team traveling through the US on their way to a match.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...-customs-agent
http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2014...ecurity-search
I'm left wondering if there's possibly a better way to investigate whether there may be illegal contraband hidden inside what appears to be a solid wooden object.
...where it appears as if the bat in the picture had 4 holes drilled into it after an apparent drug test/search.
He later clarified that the picture he shared was of his teammate's bat, West Indian cricketer Lendl Simmons.
Both were a part of a cricket team traveling through the US on their way to a match.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...-customs-agent
http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2014...ecurity-search
I'm left wondering if there's possibly a better way to investigate whether there may be illegal contraband hidden inside what appears to be a solid wooden object.
Aug 10, 2014, 3:06 pm
#2
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The TSA employees who destroyed his bat should be forced to pay for a replacement and all damages incurred by the player and team. Criminal charges for destruction of property should also be levied against the TSA employees.
Aug 10, 2014, 3:13 pm
#3
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TSA should pay for replacing this. They have xray machines for this. If the idiot that did this doesn't know that, or what a cricket bat is he should be fired.
Aug 10, 2014, 3:30 pm
#4
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I did a little bit more reading. A good number of news articles have pointed the finger at the TSA, while others have named U.S. Customs as being at fault.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/28711774
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...s-9657965.html
EDIT
It wasn't the TSA.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/28711774
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...s-9657965.html
EDIT
It wasn't the TSA.
Aug 10, 2014, 3:30 pm
#5
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Aug 10, 2014, 3:32 pm
#6
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Note that neither article states definitively that it was TSA. Given that it was an international flight, it could've been CBP. Heck, it could've been an airline employee.
Of course, TSA is both the obvious party to accuse, and perhaps the most likely. But, as with all such matters, everyone who touched that suitcase can claim that someone else did it.
And none of that makes this any less ridiculous.
Of course, TSA is both the obvious party to accuse, and perhaps the most likely. But, as with all such matters, everyone who touched that suitcase can claim that someone else did it.
And none of that makes this any less ridiculous.
Aug 10, 2014, 5:00 pm
#9
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Why is stis any different from all the other times Customs (around the world) destroys things in their search?
Partially dismante a car, open a sealed bag-in-box wine, stuff like that (ok, the single bag of wine is probably of more limited value, but otherwise).
I am not saying this is great, but it is not a unique event by any means.
DanishFlyer
Partially dismante a car, open a sealed bag-in-box wine, stuff like that (ok, the single bag of wine is probably of more limited value, but otherwise).
I am not saying this is great, but it is not a unique event by any means.
DanishFlyer
Aug 10, 2014, 5:15 pm
#10
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There should be a better way to handle this.. these are professional sportsmen traveling for sports reasons, right?
Maybe something as simple as X-Raying it first, but maybe destroying it only if it didn't clear the X-Ray. It kind of ruins the trip if your equipment is destroyed.
Maybe something as simple as X-Raying it first, but maybe destroying it only if it didn't clear the X-Ray. It kind of ruins the trip if your equipment is destroyed.
Aug 10, 2014, 5:22 pm
#11
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In short ... there's absolutely no reason that this passenger should've had to worry about a customs/security agent in an intermediate country. Except, of course, when that intermediate country is the USA.
Aug 10, 2014, 5:26 pm
#12
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One significant difference: the passenger/player was only connecting through the USA. Anywhere else in the world, his luggage would've been checked through to his final destination, and only inspected there. Since the US can't find a way to implement a "quarantine zone" for international transit, if your connecting flight lands in the US, you have to pass through US customs and US security screening once again.
In short ... there's absolutely no reason that this passenger should've had to worry about a customs/security agent in an intermediate country. Except, of course, when that intermediate country is the USA.
In short ... there's absolutely no reason that this passenger should've had to worry about a customs/security agent in an intermediate country. Except, of course, when that intermediate country is the USA.
DanishFlyer
Aug 10, 2014, 5:29 pm
#13
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There should be a better way to handle this.. these are professional sportsmen traveling for sports reasons, right?
Maybe something as simple as X-Raying it first, but maybe destroying it only if it didn't clear the X-Ray. It kind of ruins the trip if your equipment is destroyed.
Maybe something as simple as X-Raying it first, but maybe destroying it only if it didn't clear the X-Ray. It kind of ruins the trip if your equipment is destroyed.
My personal opinion is that for any search that turns up nothing needs to be compensated fully for any damage. Sadly that is not the law (anywhere that I know of).
DanishFlyer