Cops & Customs eye containers for stolen loot
(CNS): As part of a joint operation between the RCIPS and the customs department, currently underway, officers have been targeting containers looking for stolen goods. During the pro-active targetted initiative called ‘Operation Spearfish’ the law enforcement team removed and detained two containers from the Windsor Park area in George Town on suspicion of containing property, on Wednesday, (30 July) that may have been taken in various break-ins around Grand Cayman. The containers were taken to the Cargo Distribution Centre in the capital and officials are now examining the contents and comparing them with lists of stolen items reported to the police.
The ongoing investigation is on the look-out for stolen items from various burglaries, robberies and thefts which police and customs officers believe are being exported concealed in shipping containers. As well as the two containers detained yesterday, the investigation has already resulted in the detention of four shipping containers on suspicion of exporting stolen goods before they could leave the island.
The investigations are ongoing and there was no indication yet of any arrests in connection with the joint operation.
Category: Crime
While I am all for crime fighting by our law enforcement protectors, I'm baffled and curious. If HM Customs monitored these containers for some time ( as the lead Customs Officer said on CITN News), why do they choose to raid them when there are no "activities" going on?? Surely the easiest way to arrest the perps is to make a swoop when the containers are being loaded with the stolen items. What? They only watched when the container activity was dormant? Wonder if they really want to arrest anyone??
I thought spearfishing was illeagl?
You don't need to be a bloody Sherlock Holmes to realize there is an organized burglary ring operating in Cayman for God's sake.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
Doesthis mean that all of my items that I never got back and no one ever told me anything else about could actually be in these containers ?do I need to go and look myself or do I assume that the right people will be going to every single paper to see if my stuff is there?
I felt like I was treated like a bad when I asked him about items that I never got back
dont call us we'll call you
We've been telling them this for years!! Only now they are looking into this…… Wh'appen – one of them finally get robbed?
The custom department is an imbarrasment to the people of the Cayman Islands.
They were told long time ago that these containers were used for stolen goods.
The people's hard earned labour and money earned to purchase their personal belongings left this Island through the inept, incompetence of the Custom department.
Milions of dollars worth of stolen goods have been illigally exported off these Islands. No civilised country or its authorities condone this slackness in their country.
I import used parts from other caribbean Island and it has to be documented, even as small as a screw.
One has to ask, why we caymanians are so damn daft and stupid?
The politicians are aware of the theft going on also, they failed to adress it due to the nationalities envolved…They do not want to upset these people, they need their votes..disgusting!!!
Hear hear, our politicians are so concerned with votes that they let everything slide and turn a blind eye! Customs and it's protected cronies, the dump for votes, lip service only for education and getting qualified Caymanians jobs….
if only we had ethical leaders who cared more about really making change (even if it meant one term in politics) instead of the schoolboy butt kissers we have now!?!
In Jamaica they called it Operation King Fish……. Could'nt custom be more original. But then again Jamaicans impact heavily here in the Cayman Islands to assist with their success. Happy Independence Jamaicans. Well done.
09:01.I agree and say well done Jamaicans.I would also add that Cayman has contributed to the success of many Jamaicans over the years and continues to do so up to present,and so :well done Caymanians.
I wont say anything about the Customs Gestapo…
This problem could be avoided in the future if all containers being shipped with used or new merchandise were loaded at the Port Authority facility and receipts had to be presented for the goods to be loaded and shipped…
Your stupid get a clue how can this be done you have no idea what its like to load a container of material besides that they have xray and can see a grain of rice in a container
The only reason they are grabbing these containers is that they allready know stolen stuff is in them
Through the years I have unloaded hundreds of containers – many of them being inspected by Customs, and it is really no big deal… So dont call me stupid – you little punk…
I have loaded hundreds of containers . How do you expect it to be done? At the port, My men at the facility with my equipment staging it outside or should they build a new facility, indoors secure with water and restroom.
So how is it that I am stupid?
and if you have unloaded so many times I guess your crew can do it in an hour
Perhaps if it is on pallets and you have a new forklift and 20 men
So come back to reality
What are we actually shipping out of this island? We have no exports! Tell me which companies or individuals with legitimate shipments would be inconvenienced by having the seal put on the container at the port with two HMC officers taking a look at what is in the big steel box before it is closed up and officially sealed.
Dear Ms. Samantha and Customs Task Force Team,
The "low-tech" answer from the poster above is credible and easily done. The only things shipping off this island are rum cakes and people moving personal items back home (ie:end of work permit.) The paperwork check would be SO SIMPLE: 1.) Show proof of ID and residency via status or current employment permits so the shipper is documented and responsible 2.) Show that you are leaving the island via employment paperwork or 3.) Show a receipt that you purchased that cellphone, waverunner, or boat engine for your cousin in…(Miami, Jamaica, Honduras, Texas, etc..)
Also, as for OTHER ITEMS leaving via the airport, another "low-tech" solution (thanks to a local IT PMP applicant for Customs) Regarding our laptops, iphones, ipads being registered as we leave for holiday or business trips, there is no need for in-office long Custom lines and registration the day before travel; instead there are many options for tamper-proof labels:
http://www.seton.com/labels-decals/custom-1/tamper-evident.html
Asset security is key to most IT departments and this is easily solved. Hopefully input from the community will reach your senior staff at Customs and you can see that ease-of-use best practices are a good solution.
Low Tech I believe Ms. Samantha know what is happening. Do not confuse her.
How many years this racket has been going on and nothing was done about it? They should check the containers cthat are being packed late hours of the night and early hours of the morning in the districts.
Police don't see the things happening around them, when most things happen within their sight. Just open your eyes and see what you should see.
Knot S Smart. You are Very Smart. Just hope the customs are reading and taking your advice.
But wait, are the police now suggesting there may be significant foreign involvement in robberies in Cayman? I thought bloggers claim our crime is almost all locally born and bred?
You will not hear anything about the nationalities of the criminals who did this, assuming they catch them.
All I know is that both times I have been a victim of theft, once more than a decade ago, the police told be unequivocally that my out-board engine and computer were in Jamaica or Honduras within days and there was no point in me even looking for the engine in Cayman.
That's where it went. Doesn't say who took it.
Hello folks, yes it is our locals doing the robberies; they go to these vulnerable people and offer the loot to them for very reasonable prices. I have been approached by my own Caymanian asking if i wanted to purchase certain appliance. Surprisingly he didnt have the "goods" as yet, but had his eyes on them.
The workers use company vehicles to scout out the items and location by day and break, steal and load by night. How many locals are employed by such companies? Read and understand my post.
Okay, read it. Don't understand it. What or who are 'such companies'
Are you sure it was not a politician looking for votes?
And I assume that there will be arrests to follow?!!
Wouldit not have been better to let the thieves arrange shipment and then swoop in then?
But we will wait and see. Where were these containers going??
Good job all involved.
The person in charge of the container has to know who made delivery to the site for loading. The items have to have identification as to ownership. Another smart way of concealing ownership. They are always there to beat the system, and we make sure they are protected.