damn customs

[Cigarcop]

Sorry to hear this Ferdi but since you have an appeal process I don't think they'll destroy them until you have a chance to plead your case.....Now I'm glad I gave you the ashtray!

[Lumpold]

Originally Posted by Cigarcop

Sorry to hear this Ferdi but since you have an appeal process I don't think they'll destroy them until you have a chance to plead your case.....Now I'm glad I gave you the ashtray!

Er... don't bet on it. In the UK, I can think of one prominent story from a few years ago. Wasn't cigars, but a disabled man came back from Europe with what Customs deemed excess items (I'm fairly sure it was rolling tobacco), and his car was seized, along with all the products. He was forced to get a taxi home, 350 miles away, and had no other means of transport. He waited for his appeal, 3 weeks later, where the judge ruled in his favour, he hadn't bought excess items in to the country, Customs & Excise were to return his car and products to him. At which point C&E told him they'd already destroyed the product and crushed his car.

[357]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

Er... don't bet on it. In the UK, I can think of one prominent story from a few years ago. Wasn't cigars, but a disabled man came back from Europe with what Customs deemed excess items (I'm fairly sure it was rolling tobacco), and his car was seized, along with all the products. He was forced to get a taxi home, 350 miles away, and had no other means of transport. He waited for his appeal, 3 weeks later, where the judge ruled in his favour, he hadn't bought excess items in to the country, Customs & Excise were to return his car and products to him. At which point C&E told him they'd already destroyed the product and crushed his car.

God bless the US Constitution:

Amendment 4
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

If it was all legit and legal, and this happened here, you'd have a good legal case for some $$$ compensation. Just my opinon, I am not a lawyer.