CHAPTER 5

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF

EXAMINATION
 Table of contents

Section I: General

Section II: Health & safety

Section III: Examination of containers and their contents

Section VI: Examine of exterior of the container

Section V: Examine of the goods

Section VI: Examine of internal side of the container

Section VII: Action if irregularities are detected

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Section I

General
The physical examination of containers and their cargo should always be carried
out methodically and thoroughly. Examining officers should always follow set
procedures when examining containers, the method (door check – partial or full
unloading) can vary according to the reason for exam.
These reasons can be:
• Random check: e.g. - statistically selected percentage
- local parameters
- officers decision

• Special criteria: e.g. - risk analysis

- nature, quantity, origin or value of the goods
- country whence consigned
- high freight cost, etc

• Previous history: e.g. - known containers

- suspect operations, etc

• Intelligence: - information “tip-offs” from other Customs

authorities,
or other national and international agencies.

When a container is first produced for examination the following procedure

should be adopted.

How many people are required?

Is a dog available?

Is there relevant documentation (Bill of lading, import-export or transit
declarations)?

Is a specialist required(locksmith, engineer, etc)?

What equipment is necessary to carry out the exam (X-ray, probe, etc)?

Once this is established a person should be nominated to complete a notebook.

Ideally this is the person who has selected the examination – but that person may
not always be available.

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The notebook should contain a complete record of the examination in which the
following details should be recorded:

- Date
- Time
- Place
- Persons present (after writing Officers names it may be helpful to show
initials in brackets for use in main context)
- Container number
- Vessel and date of arrival
- Description of entered/manifested goods
- Condition of container, noting visible sings of damage, repair etc.
- Seal number(s)
- Every event that happens during the examination.

Officers should be nominated for the operation of equipment, such as X-ray van,
camera, bolt-croppers etc.

N.B: Goods in containers should normally be removed and be repacked by the

appropriate company or wharfinger on behalf of the importer. Only in
exceptional circumstances (i.e. for anti-smuggling purposes) and with
management approval should this be done by Customs officers.

If nothing is found during the examination, the container should be

repacked by the wharfinger and resealed as soon as possible.

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Section II
Health & safety
Health and Safety is paramount.
Officers should be wary of other
obstacles in sheds, i.e. tugs, forklifts,
etc.
Shed floors should be clean and
there should be adequate space to
store goods removed from containers
and for use of
X-ray equipment.
The appropriate personal equipment,
hard hats, gloves, goggles etc,
should be at hand and utilised as
necessary.
Before commencing work, you
should familiarise yourself with
Health and Safety guidelines and be
aware of the dangers of exposure
from contaminants e.g. dust.
Your line manager should already
have assessed the risk and will
advise you on what safety
precautions are necessary.
Be aware of fumigation stickers and
signs of same in container,
particularly from Far East- vent
container if any doubt.

When handling goods consideration

should always be given to health and
safety.
Wear protective clothing,
particularly gloves.

Section III

Examination of containers and their contents

EACH EXAMINATION SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN SYSTEMATICALLY AND

THOROUGHLY WITH THE EXPECTATION OF DISCOVERING DRUGS,
PROHIBITED OR UNCUSTOMED GOODS AND OTHER IRREGULARITIES.
IF THIS PROCEDURE IS NOT FOLLOWED THEN THE WHOLE EXAMINATION
COULD BECOME VALUELESS.

For this reason the following method can be used:

Before the container doors are opened, officers should compare the marks,
numbers and seal(s) of the container with the shipping documents. Take these
documents with you when controlling the container.

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Officers must be vigilant in the initial examination of the door, locking pins
and handles in case of signs of tampering. Be sure that the doors can not be
opened without damaging or breaking the seal(s).

Take a Polaroid/video record of the container with seal(s) intact.

Polaroids should be dated, initialled and timed.

If padlocked consider using a locksmith if no key available, although in

practice it is possible to force open a padlock.

Before the container doors are opened a drugs/cigarettes detector dog could
be put around the container exterior. Follow the handler’s directions to get
the best performance from the dog, as they vary in their method of approach.

Before the container doors are opened

a drugs/cigarettes detector dog could be put
around the container exterior.

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Section IV

Examine of exterior of the container

Start with the doors and go right round the container.

Look for the following indications:

- unusual prefix;
- incorrect number and digits;
- type of container involved compared to the goods
- new paintwork or mastic;
- signs of repair;
- tampering;
- renumbering of the container (the presence of several layers of film over a
number, are factors which should arouse suspicion);
- new plates welded

In most cases the owner of the container can be ascertained from the prefix by
referring to the container BIC codes.

The roof exterior must only be examined using a properly constructed gantry.

Also look for regular scorch marks on the exterior paintwork as this is a good
indication of interior welding.

IN ORDER TO FULFIL ITS ROLE PROPERLY, A CONTAINER MUST BE IN

GOOD CONDITION. A CONTAINER IN POOR CONDITION IS NOT
NECESSARILY BEING USED FOR FRAUDULENT PURPOSES.

IT MAY BE MAKING ITS LAST JOURNEY.

HOWEVER, IT MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN PURCHASED CHEAPLY FOR USE IN A

FRAUDULENT OPERATION.

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Section V

Examine of the goods.

After a general examination of the exterior of the container, the seal(s) can be
removed from the right hand door. Care should be taken when removing the
seal, position and number should be noted.

A metal strip or wire type seal must be cut through as near to the locking box or
lead plomb as possible, as with care the seal can be rejoined. On no account
should either type of seal be ripped off as this may indicate signs of interference.
With expertise it is also possible to refix bolt seals, and to gain access to the
container without removing the seal.

Once the seal has been removed:

Keep the seal together with the connected documents (proof).

the doors should be opened with caution as the load inside may have shifted
and be leaning against the doors. Consider the use of straps.

After the doors have been safely opened a photograph/video of the load
should be taken to ensure that the goods can be repacked in the same way
after examination.

The presence of unusual odours (e.g. naphthalene) capable of masking the

odour of drugs.

It is also important to establish the condition of some cargo before

examination in case there is a later claim for damages etc.

Officers should always handle the load carefully to avoid damage. If at any
time damage occurs or is noticed then a photographic record and notebook
record should be made and the Dock Company and Shipping Agent notified.

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With the doors open before the
load is removed a Health and
Safety assessment is required.
Checks should be made for any
warning notices related to
contents.
(e.g. dangerous materials,
inflammables etc.)

All cargo should be removed from the container where possible.

The container should be discharged using appropriate equipment e.g. Sovex,
X-ray, forklift, bale-clamp etc. The correct equipment makes your job easier
to carry out.

Officers should verify if the shipment is economically viable.

Example of a non economically viable shipment:

Rotten grapefruits in cartons normally used for textiles can be an indicator
that other goods are hidden in the shipment.

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Check the number of cartons/sacs against the manifest or import entry.
Packages in excess of declared must be regarded as suspicious.

Be vigilant for unusual markings, bandings, different colours or numbers of

packing patterns etc as these may be indicators that something is concealed
within the load.

Also be aware of any marked changes in weight of cartons and packages.

If the shipment consists of canned fruit or cans with a liquid, officers ought
to shake them so they can hear the liquid in the cans.

When the shipment consists of wooden beams or wooden statues, officers

should be vigilant for traces of glue on the wood.

Sacs and barrels can be examined with a probe.

When strong suspicions arise, officers can use a boring-machine to drill holes
in the cargo.

When sampling, take from different areas of load.

WHEN EXAMINING CONTAINERS AND THEIR CONTENTS:

USE YOUR OWN SENSES OF SIGHT, SMELL, TOUCH AND HEARING,

THESE ARE INVALUABLE

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 PROBE

Officers can use a probe for examination of When strong suspicions exist
barrels. officers can drill holes in the cargo.

Traces of glue on wooden statues can indicate that the statues are
hollowed-out.

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Drugs or other goods are often hidden in or amongst the cargo, especially
containers holding foodstuffs or dirty cargo which makes examination and the
use of drugs detector dogs difficult.

example of a container holding cargo which makes examination

and the use of detector dogs difficult.

Remember drugs and other goods can be hidden in any areas where there is
space, i.e. louvre doors, hollow items etc. The packing case/material is
frequently used for concealing goods.
In order to make detections of drugs or other goods in freight it is not enough to
accept the item produced for examination by a wharfinger. An extended turnout
and examination of the cargo and packing cases is essential. This may entail
opening each individual carton or item in a container. If the size is suitable use a
mobile X-ray van (when available) on the cargo.

If the size of the packages is suitable a mobile X-ray van can be used.

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Such concealments as those illustrated in the following photographs have been
detected by the careful in-depth examination of the cargo, although the examples
show drugs, remember they also readily lend themselves to concealment of
cigarettes and other goods.

EXAMPLE 1.

External view of a container (a photograph should be taken of the stowage of cargo,

this will assist when repackaging the container.

Consignment of sailing dinghies.

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 Outer hull removed to reveal drugs attached to hull bottom.

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EXAMPLE 2.

Example of a bulky consignment making examinations time consuming and difficult.

External view of container. Note it is not on pallets to increase difficulty of its removal
from the container and discourage examination.

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 Oven dismantled to reveal metal trays inside interlocking spaces.

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 Metal trays removed to reveal concealments.

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EXAMPLE 3.

Another example of a bulky and difficult consignment of heavy engineering to examine.

Drum removed from outer casing with assistance of a fork lift.

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 Side of drum removed and concealment identified inside.

Amount of cannabis revealed.

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EXAMPLE 4.

A “Cold Find” of compressed herbal cannabis in tins of “Ackees” and

emphasises the need for the examining officer to be aware that things are not
necessarily always what they seem.
Apart from the lack of serial numbers on the dummied tins, there is no
difference in size or appearance to the genuine article.

50 cases Village Pride Ackees.

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 Example of one case showing contents as 24 x A2 size tins.

Cardboard case opened showing tins of Ackees – two layers of twelve tins.

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Top layer removed showing middle two tins on bottom row without serial numbers on top.

Content of tins – tins without serial numbers contain compressed herbal cannabis.

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GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE CHAPTE R 5 - SYSTYEM AND METHOD OF EXAMINATION
 Total number of tins (100) in consignment without serial numbers.

Section VI

Examine of internal side of the container

FLOOR:

This can only be properly examined when the container is empty.

Look for:
- a raised floor ;
- new screws;
- new mastic ;
- plates welded underneath;

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This example shows a container laid on its side Crossmembers removed showing false floor.
revealing the normal lifting points and
crossmembers

When containers are placed on skeletal trailers or maafis

it is ideal for examinatin of the container floor.

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Container raised on Fork Lift revealing welded plates

BASE OF
CONTAINER

WELDED PLATES

If the container is not on a skeletal maafi, the container will have to be lifted for
a complete examination. DO NOT GO UNDERNEATH !!!

Not only floors of containers but also floors of crates should be checked because
they can have a false bottom to (see photo).

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ROOF AND WALLS:

Any insulating space may be

utilised.
Look for:
- new rivets ;
- new screws ;
- fresh paint or new
NEW
mastic; MASTIC

Plug any holes drilled.

From the inside the locking blocks should be visible in

the top corners

BULKHEAD
BULKHEADS:

Measure and compare the exterior

and interior lengths.

From the inside the locking blocks

should be visible in the top corners.

The absence of these may indicate a

false bulkhead.

Count the number of ribs from in-

and outside starting from the
ventilation rosters.

From the inside the locking blocks should be visible in The absence of the locking blocks
the top corners may indicate a false bulkhead.

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REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS AND REFRIGERATED UNITS:

The panels on the outside of a refrigerated container, which give access to the
refrigerated unit should be removed to see that no goods are hidden inside the
unit.

ENSURE THE UNIT HAS BEEN SWITCHED OFF,

BEFORE MAKING ANY EXAMINATION

Panels on the outside of refrigeration unit removed.

Packages of cocaine revealed.

Also both sets of the top panel of the refrigerated unit, on the internal side of the
container, can be unscrewed to have access to the refrigeration unit

Upper set of the top panel of the refrigerated unit

on the internal side removed.
Packages of cocaine revealed. Access to refrigerated unit on the
internal side of the container.
Packages of cocaine revealed.

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Be vigilant for the two columns beside the refrigeration unit on the inside of the
container.
The hollowed-out columns are a part of the normal construction of some
refrigerated containers. In the columns packages cocaine have been found in the
past.

View of the two columns beside the refrigeration unit on the internal side of the container.

Check the outside of the container for condensation, indicating the absence of
insulation.
If a thermal imager is available then check the exterior for “cold spots” and the
interior for “hot spots”. The gamma ray searcher unit is another very useful tool
for examining containers of this type.

Repairs patches to the roof and walls which may look new, can be checked by
drilling out the pop rivets and cutting the mastic away to release the repair plate.

Once removed, the insulation should be checked for possible concealed goods,
by using a metal rod or wire to probe the insulation. The plate should be
replaced by using mastic and pop rivets.

Drillings of the floor, walls and roof linings should be carefully plugged
afterwards, to prevent water seeping into the insulation.
Care must also be taken with the sensitive evaporator coil, motor, etc, they are
easily damaged and expensive to repair.
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TANK CONTAINERS:

Check the tubes of chassis of

the tank container to be sure
that they are not hollowed-out.
Tubes of
chassis

Look for new rivets in the

cover-plates of the side wall
and the two tops of the tank
because the insulation can be
removed and packages can be
hidden in the empty space
between the wall of the tank
and the cover-plates.

Look for new rivets in the cover-plates.

Try to gauge the inner-side of

the tank container. If there is
strong suspicion of false walls,
the liquid in the tank container
should be removed into another
tank container. After cleaning
of the tank container an
examination of the inside of
the tank is possible.

Try to gauge the inner-side of the tank.

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Section VII

Action if irregularities are detected.

THE AIM: To apprehend and successfully prosecute all offenders concerned in

the illegal importation.

On making a detection of drugs/prohibited or uncustomed goods as a result of a

container examination, the following action should be taken:

Stop the examination immediately. The examining officer should notify the
agency responsible for investigation immediately of the findings in line with
local instructions. The officer should then wait to receive further instructions.

The examining officer will still play an important part in the investigation in
the following area.
• Evidence:
The investigators will probably require photographic evidence of the
method of concealment. It is therefore crucial that examining officers
do not tamper with the consignment without specific instructions from
the agency.

On discovery of a suspect drug concealment only a small sample of the

substance should be removed for field testing. At this stage items
should be handled by one person only wearing gloves as there may be
a need for fingerprinting.
The detecting officer and possibly other examining officers will be
required to make witness statements. It is therefore essential that the
notebook is maintained at the time of the examination so that the best
evidence can be presented at any subsequent proceedings.

• Removal/substitution of drugs:
At some stage the investigators will probably instruct the examination
officers to remove the drugs from the concealment. This is to be done
with great care following national guidelines.

It may be considered necessary to the investigation to “dummy up” the

drugs with substitute material and packaging to resemble the drugs. It
is wise to ensure that suitable materials are always available (bricks,
wood, sand, plaster etc).
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TRANSPORTATION TO SECURE STORAGE

As soon as possible the drugs should be transported to the storage warehouse.

It is recommended that the detecting officer (who will be exhibiting the goods in
his witness statement) should accompany them in order to maintain the chain of
evidence.

SECURITY OF THE OPERATION

In view of the highly sensitive nature of operations it is imperative

that any detection made is not discussed other than with those
persons directly involved in the case.

The examining officer should ensure that suitable arrangements are made for the
security of goods and evidence pending the arrival of investigation staff.
It is vital that only those who need to know are informed of the
find.

REMEMBER SOMEONE MAY BE WATCHING YOU.

IN CASES WHERE THE CONTAINER HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR TRANSPORT

UNDER CUSTOMS SEAL, CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID BREACHING THE
STANDARDS OF THAT APPROVAL, WHEN DRILLING OR OTHERWISE
PHYSICALLY ALTERING THE STRUCTURE OF THE CONTAINER;

IF SUCH A CONTAINER IS FOUND TO BE “INNOCENT” ANY REPAIR WHICH

IS NECESSARY MUST BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTAINER
CONVENTION RULES.

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