asked the Minister for Finance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Antrim, when the goods seized from the person involved by a Customs officer are to be returned; if any explanation or apology is being tendered; and if he will make a statement as to the instructions given to customs officers in the manner in which they deal with members of the public in such situations.
Written Answers. - Seizure by Customs Officer.
47.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the goods in question were liable to seizure as they were not eligible to be imported duty free under the travellers' baggage allowances and were not declared to Customs on importation. The person in question is liable to prosecution under the Customs Acts and the goods are liable to forfeiture.
The Commissioners have decided to retain the goods as a seizure. This decision supersedes the information conveyed verbally to a person in the Deputy's office last month.
The person in question also imported other goods on the same occasion but he was allowed to retain these as they were for his own personal use.
I am informed by the Commissioners that it is not proposed to make any changes in the instructions to Customs officers in regard to such cases.