Havent HM Customs anything better to do?

graham

graham

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Just watching "Sea Patrol" on channel 5. The brave lads of Hm customs seem proud to have confiscated all the ciggarettes from the Russian crew of a ship that had sailed for orders but then anchored inside UK waters.

The Capatain allowed the crew to be issued with duty free fags but then she anchored within the UK limit.

OK they committed an illegal act but these guys get paid peanuts and honestly thought they were bound abroad.

Obviously HM customs have beaten the drugs trade and have nothing better to do :-(.
 
I thought it was a bit petty. Technically, the sailors were in the wrong, but it wasn't like they were selling them. They hadn't even set foot on land.
 
This is like those people who complain when they get a parking ticket when they've left the car on double yellows. If you knowingly break the law, and you know that you're likely to get a fine if you're caught, you shouldn't moan if it happens.

So our uniformed services are doing their job, which is what we pay them for. I say again - well done them. Yes, it would be nice if they got a big haul of something harder, but why knock them for grabbing a bit of low-hanging fruit as well along the way
 
Doghousekeeper said:
This is like those people who complain when they get a parking ticket when they've left the car on double yellows. If you knowingly break the law, and you know that you're likely to get a fine if you're caught, you shouldn't moan if it happens.

So our uniformed services are doing their job, which is what we pay them for. I say again - well done them. Yes, it would be nice if they got a big haul of something harder, but why knock them for grabbing a bit of low-hanging fruit as well along the way
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We can all sleep more soundly now knowing that a few Russian Seaman arent having a sly duty free fag,If they had managed to get ashore they could have bought any amount of duty free in the nearest pub along with any amount of mind bending drugs.
 
Have to say I felt it was a waste of time/resources.

Sure, they broke a rule/law. But all that effort/hardware/cost etc seems very heavy-handed for a minor transgression.

And while they're looking for a discrepancy in the 'fag' log, I bet something more serious got left off the 'to do' list.

It just feels like modern policing all over. Get the maximum number of "offences" (aren't we doing well!) instead of actually preventing real stuff.
 
Good evening:

I don't know if it is part of the British character or not but I have noticed that once someone puts a uniform on a Brit he becomes a narrow minded dummy who loses any common sense that he/she might once have had. Thank heavens I don't have to have anything to do with anyone of the mentality of "Doghousekeeper".

There was a military expression that "he has the common sense of a lance corporal" - seems to fit the type I am referring to above.

Cheers

Squeaky
 
I bet

there are more dodgy fags on every single cross-channel ferry sailing from France- bet they won't be boarded at sea, not such a soft target!
 
Just reminds me of School Bully syndrome which the powers at be of our country seem to be riddled with.

Go for the little 'easy target' guy and nick his dinner money but keep well away from the tough kids cause they'll smack you silly.

They won't stand up for the country against Europe, USA, Big Business or major league criminals but dare to sit inside UK Waters without paying the tax on your fags.....ooooo Firing squad for you and another 'Success' tick in the crime book.
 
I saw that one ages ago & thought it was pathetic. The REALLY sad thing is that they were proud of their pathetic heist!!!!! :rolleyes: I would have been tooo embarrased to admit that that was the best I could do with taxpayers' money.
 
Squeaky said:
Good evening:

I don't know if it is part of the British character or not but I have noticed that once someone puts a uniform on a Brit he becomes a narrow minded dummy who loses any common sense that he/she might once have had. Thank heavens I don't have to have anything to do with anyone of the mentality of "Doghousekeeper".

There was a military expression that "he has the common sense of a lance corporal" - seems to fit the type I am referring to above.

Cheers

Squeaky
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Hmm - promotion. Don't know if I'm ready for the responsibility.

Please do feel free not to read any posts coming from me if you feel they may offend you.
 
PilotWolf said:
So they should have ignored the breaking of the law? How many people would then have slated them for not enforcing the laws and not doing their job?

PW.
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One needs the confidence to ignore irrelevant technical transgressions and the strength to deal with those taking the mickey. AND the wisdom to tell the difference.

That is a pretty good management & life creed anyway. It's all about MODERATION isn't it?

(with grateful acknowledgements to the famous prayer)
 
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