Will U.S. customs drug dogs notice if you've been "smoking" ?
Aug 30, 2001, 10:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
Posts: 1,295
Will U.S. customs drug dogs notice if you've been "smoking" ?
Wednesday night 20/20 Downtown had a segment on Holland and the shops where people can legally buy and use marijuana.
It seems to be quite a tourist attraction to those with long layovers, and I wondered if
drug dogs would hit on someone just because of smoke or residue on their clothes. "But, Officer, I was standing next to someone who was smoking. It wasn't ME!"
It seems to be quite a tourist attraction to those with long layovers, and I wondered if
drug dogs would hit on someone just because of smoke or residue on their clothes. "But, Officer, I was standing next to someone who was smoking. It wasn't ME!"
Aug 31, 2001, 9:08 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,335
Can they do anything about it?--Sure, if the dog identifies you (and even if it does not) customs can subject you and your luggage to a full search (on a whim) anytime they want when you are entering the country.
So, while the customs people can't "do anything" in the sense of ARRESTING you because the dogs sniff "smoke", they can sure make your life unpleasant for a while. I would think that many people would believe that the prospect of a full customs search alone would deter them from enjoying legal substances in other countries on the date of travel, or especially during layovers.
Needless to say, of course, your life would get much more unpleasant if a search of your person or luggage then resulted in the discovery by Customs of any substances which, while legal in other countries, are not legal in this country. Proceed with caution.
Djlawman
So, while the customs people can't "do anything" in the sense of ARRESTING you because the dogs sniff "smoke", they can sure make your life unpleasant for a while. I would think that many people would believe that the prospect of a full customs search alone would deter them from enjoying legal substances in other countries on the date of travel, or especially during layovers.
Needless to say, of course, your life would get much more unpleasant if a search of your person or luggage then resulted in the discovery by Customs of any substances which, while legal in other countries, are not legal in this country. Proceed with caution.
Djlawman
Aug 31, 2001, 1:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: AA:PLT&3MM, HGP:DIA, SPG:GOLD
Posts: 1,896
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Djlawman:
...Needless to say, of course, your life would get much more unpleasant if a search of your person or luggage then resulted in the discovery by Customs of any substances which, while legal in other countries, are not legal in this country. Proceed with caution.
Djlawman</font>
...Needless to say, of course, your life would get much more unpleasant if a search of your person or luggage then resulted in the discovery by Customs of any substances which, while legal in other countries, are not legal in this country. Proceed with caution.
Djlawman</font>
Aug 31, 2001, 4:29 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Under one roof in Chicago
Programs: UA 2MM, DL MM
Posts: 3,143
Funny this came up - I was in Amsterdam in June and the night before we left we went out to eat at a nice place, and a few of the local couples lighted up. These were well dressed, middle age folks who enjoyed dinner with wine and some pot. The smell was pretty strong and it does cling to your clothes. Anyway, I made sure to give the shirt a good cleaning that night before having to face the dogs in Atlanta. As we arrive in Atlanta, going down the escalator to baggage claim, we're greeted by the customs guys....
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