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US Customs can search and take your laptop without permission

Bangkoktraveler

By Bangkoktraveler,
in Non-Thailand News

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kamui Newbie

kamui

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Posted
I guess no one read the whole story where they found child porn on him and he ran to Aus....?

Yes' date=' read that, that is why they are searching laptops and mobile phones these days :beer:[/quote']

 

That's what they pretend to look for when they search laptops these days. It is known that border agents works together with US spy agencies for to spy on international high ranking business travelers.

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Steve Contributor

Steve

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I was gonna post on US Customs. Slight hijack but related but I have had trouble getting and sending shipments from America when overseas. Basically, mail was being held up for longer periods of time.

 

Friends experienced the same thing.

 

I then did some googling and found that U.S. Customs have started examining things much more.

 

I saw a link that said that eBay has been hit a bit because international shipments are being held for extended periods. I have a friend who orders ED stuff from India and sells it privately and his shipments have been held up for weeks.

 

U.S. Customs have had some statement I learned saying they are taking a closer look at all packages and mail. Of course this is under the guise of national security but on some forums some suspect its money related. They want to make sure the value of things are being declared and want to charge for taxes, fees, etc. and in some cases where its a number of shipments of expensive items inside, the IRS may be alerted.

 

As far as long tops and the like, I've long held the belief I have no more freedoms left. They want us to believe that there is no expectancy of privacy and so they can search all they want.

 

For the better part of the last decade I was used to having to be at the airport for at least 3 hours when coming back from SE Asia.

 

I'm usually one of only several westerners on flights and almost always the only black (but I fear playing that card for this posts purposes).

 

As I walk down the ramp, there are about 3 or 4 people in dark glasses, I'm always pulled from the line and asked maybe one or two questions. One of them is alawys where I've been. I'm pretty sure its not the answers they are looking for but HOW I answer the questions. I'm always smiling and matter of fact in my answers. They send me on and after a long wait in line at LAX, the clerk tells me to go to another line. I wait there usually with foreigners with concerned looks for a half hour to an hour and I'm brought to a room and asked more questions with a more stern tone. I answer. They question the frequency of my trips, what I do for a living and how I can afford to travel as often as I do to SE Asia and what I do there. I answer kindly but draw the line of why I visit. I say for a holiday. They question why there and I say why not? They mention some reasons people travel to such places (sex tourism, pedos, etc.) and I say "and what does that have to do with me?". They ask about my job and how I can afford to do travel there. I say 'I can afford it and I do, how is that relavent?' always in matter of fact tone. I'm asked about contraband, drugs (SE asia being a 'source' country) and I say, I don't do drugs, rarely drink and there is nothing illegal in my baggage that I placed there. This game goes on for a little bit and I'm asked to wait and then I get back into a line. I'm sure my bags are being searched. At the last hurdle I'm stopped once more and this is 3 hours later. There was this one latina who would tell me straight out 'where are the drugs...or kiddie porn...or whatever'. Its usually when I lose my temper a bit. "I've been here for 3 hours. My family has been waiting for me for 3 hours. Don't make such accusations ad hoc." She reminds me she can hold me for up to umpteen hours and I take a closer look at her badge, I say her name and badge number. "Well...Miss...Martinez? Badge number 457865 is it? Maybe a lawyer may think you're abusing your authority and threatening holding me as abuse of power and if you can't be apathetic to a person who has just traveled 18 hours and then held at the airport for 3 hours then perhaps someone else above you can". It usually does the trick.

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Flashermac Rookie

Flashermac

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Years ago, when I was still in the Peace Corps, I flew back to the States on extension leave. I was booked onto a flight through Seattle and picked up a flight out of Seoul. I was almost the only one on the plane who wasn't active duty military or a military dependent. When the clown at US Customs saw I was coming from SE Asia, I got the Dragnet routine.

 

Joe Friday: "Okay, where is it?"

Me: "Where is what?"

Joe Friday: "You know what I mean. Where is it?

Me: "I don't know what you are talking about."

Joe Friday: "Don't give me that. You know what I mean."

 

This went on for maybe 10 minutes, with the moron playing his little game. I suppose he was trying to see if I'd break into a sweat and start babbling about where I had hidden illegal drugs and God knows what all. He gave me what I suppose he thought was a threatening gaze the whole time. He didn't realise he was face to face with a combat vet, and a doufas like him wasn't going to intimidate me. He reminded me of a puffed up drill corporal in BCT at Fort Ord. I finally broke into a big grin, which seemed to piss him off. He disgustedly waved me through, despite mumbling something about having me searched.

 

Wankers are everywhere ... and they usually seem work for the US government. Good to see you stand up to them. :beer:

 

 

 

 

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liquidflux Newbie

liquidflux

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Posted

I get pulled aside and searched pretty much every time I come home from Thailand. They always ask the same stupid shit....where did you go, why where you there, where do you work, what do you do, etc etc. Then comes the luggage search. They never find anything of course ,and that seems to really piss them off. Fuckers

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