Contraband clarification
published: Wednesday | February 23, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2005, a customs officer stationed at Universal Freight Handlers discovered what appeared to be a firearm in a broken picture frame that was taken from a barrel. She immediately passed this information on to the Contraband Enforcement Team officer present at the warehouse. On further examination, it was discovered that the firearm was a replica of a real firearm and the other contents also appeared to be fake with the exception of two rounds of ammunition which appeared to be real.

He contacted the police who arrived and did further investigation. The importer of the item explained that the picture in question was purchased with the fake items displayed as part of the picture. On following up on this explanation, it was discovered that this item was in fact sold with the fake contents as stated by the importer as a similar item was found available on the Internet at the popular ebay website. It was brought to our attention that some media houses in breaking this story, incorrectly stated that a firearm was discovered in a package at our warehouse.

We at Universal Freight commend the officers involved for their diligence, as such thorough work is what will lead to criminals no longer using our ports and warehouses as a means of bringing in the real deadly weaponry which claim so many lives daily.

I am, etc.,

DEREK A. CROSS

dcross@ufhl.com

General Manager

Universal Freight

Handlers Limited