Are all customs and post agencies corrupt?
published: Wednesday | May 19, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

ARE ALL Jamaican customs and postal agents corrupt? Do they think they can inspect packages and take whatever they feel to? I visited my son in India this year and due to the fact that I was severely limited in my flight luggage and weight allowed, I mailed a small box back home, here to Jamaica. When I received the box, I realised a number of items were missing: a couple pairs of pants, a shawl, and an Indian Barbie doll, to name some of the items. Not only that, but one of my blouses had the buttons ripped off the blouse, tearing it and making it useless, and then thrown back into the box.

No, I did not insure the contents. Most everything sent was my own personal clothing, which had been worn many times. The Barbie doll was a gift for my great niece. I know the routine ­ there is no recourse because the package was not insured. Nothing can be proved.

How are personnel selected for these Government agencies? What qualifications and background checks are required or do they pay for a clean record? This practice has to be stopped! If I wanted to give my things away I would have given them to people I chose and not have bothered mailing them.

I am, etc.,

BARBARA GRANT

St. Ann's Bay

barbararunge@hotmail.com