The UK Border Agency is actively combating smuggling at ports and airports. In Bristol, officers intercepted Polish cigarette smugglers and confiscated their goods. At Gatwick, a couple returning from Jamaica was investigated for drug smuggling but ultimately released. In Birmingham, a man was questioned for carrying large sums of cash and suspected tax evasion but was allowed to fly after questioning. The incidents highlight the ongoing efforts to prevent illegal activities at UK entry points.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The UK Border Agency is actively combating smugglers at ports and airports.
2. In Bristol, cigarette smugglers were caught being careless.
3. A Chinese man in Birmingham was found carrying £20,000 and suspected of lying about his wages.
4. At Gatwick Airport, a couple's holiday from Jamaica ended with a high-temperature incident.
5. Lanzarote is outside of the EU for tax purposes, affecting duty-free goods allowances.
6. Officers use x-ray machines to check for excess baggage limits.
7. Three suitcases full of cigarettes were not declared by their owners upon arrival.
8. The allowance for cigarettes is 200 per person.
9. Officers suspect the cigarettes are intended for illegal sale.
10. Two women with suspect cases did not declare their goods and were followed by officers.
11. The vehicle used to transport the cigarettes was seized by officers.
12. At Gatwick Airport, sniffer dogs are used to detect drugs from Caribbean flights.
13. A man produced a smoke flare when suspected of carrying drugs.
14. Drug swab tests showed high readings for cocaine and heroin on a bag.
15. Officers conducted a rubdown search on a male passenger with high drug swab readings.
16. No drugs were found on the male passenger after the search.
17. In Birmingham, officers monitor passengers for large quantities of cash linked to organized crime.
18. Passengers must declare cash over 10,000 euros when leaving the country.
19. A man traveling to China was questioned for carrying £4,000 in cash.
20. The man's checked suitcase was removed from his flight for inspection.
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