Expert: James Yee - 7/15/2009

Question
James - How DID that customs agent know we had one cigar in our bag in the trunk of our car?  Are there microchips hidden in the bands?  Please tell me - it was SO bizarre, as soon as we pulled up (coming back into the U.S.) and handed our passports, he was out of the booth, taking my keys and opening and searching the trunk. We cannot figure it out!

Answer
Hi Karen,

I have no idea how Customs agents know what they know.  (Actually, I have an idea how they know but I'm sure once I reveal their secrets, I'll be searched the next time I'm at the border. LOL)

From what I've been told (these theories are purely speculation so don't quote me on them as fact), Custom agents know exactly how much time you've spent across the border because they record the time your car entered the country and the time you leave.  If you spent a very short time across the border (say, just enough time to buy cigars and leave), it will be suspicious and you may be pulled over and searched.

It's also possible that if your car was searched before, it may be in the computer system so whenever you cross the border, your car is automatically flagged and searched.  

It may also have been a purely random inspection.  Did you or your passenger(s) smoke in the car?  Perhaps the Customs agent smelled the cigar smoke in the car and decided to inspect it? ;)

It's hard to say exactly why your car was searched.  It could have been one factor or several factors.  Only that Customs agent knows the answer for sure.

Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James