THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM writing to you regarding a very unfortunate incident which happened when I last visited the island for my daughter's wedding. This incident took place on December 13, 2004 in the Customs Section.
On December 1, I and some of the wedding guests arrived on BA2263 at approximately 5.10 p.m. In going through the Customs, I was stopped by one of the officers in the 'Nothing to declare section' to have my luggage searched and also a box which contained my daughter's wedding dress.
I was then informed that there would be a charge of J$6,840.00, which would be refunded on my departure. I had no Jamaican currency, and had to go to the airport cambio to get the correct amount of money requested. I then went to the cashier and paid the money, I was then asked to sign the receipt which was in a receipt book. In my hurry to rejoin the group and not wanting to hold up the others, I left the cashier without taking my receipt.
On December 13, I returned to Customs at 2.30 p.m.(approximately) as my flight was due to depart that day on BA2262. I thought that I was fortunate in locating the same customs officer that I dealt with on my arrival. But this turned out to be a futile experience, as I was informed that the cashier (who was absent at that time) said that no money was paid, and I then asked if I could see the receipt book.
The book was shown to me where I saw my signature, and the word CANCELLED stamped across the page. I tried to explain that I had signed the receipt book having paid the required money. However, the custom's officer insisted that I did not pay the money and was not entitled to a refund.
I then explained that I would not have been allowed to leave the customs department with the wedding dress, had I not paid the money but her reply was that 'That is a security issue'.
At least an hour had now passed in trying to get the matter sorted and the matter was still not resolved. I stood there in disbelief as there was no supervisor that I could address regarding this matter.
I finally said that I was not happy and that something was not right. My main reason for writing this letter is not mainly to recover my money, but to bring this matter to your attention, and would appreciate an investigation. I hope that should there be an investigation, that the result will be productive and that other visitors to the island will not have to endure my experience. However, there are still three burning questions which have still not been answered satisfactorily. These are as follows :
1) Why was I allowed to take the wedding dress from Customs if the money had not been paid?
2) Why was I asked to sign the receipt book
3) Having paid the J$6,840.00, where did this surplus cash go?
I am, etc.,
GRACIA STRAUN
gracia.straun@sfo.gsi.gov.uk
Essex, England
Via Go-Jamaic
