Back in January 2006 The Beetle posted a story in a previous edition about her experiences of Australian customs office and since then other travellers have related to the pain Beetle went through…see “The Beetle Struggles with Australian Customs”. This time its FridgeyÂ…maybe someone can offer an explanation as to why, or is it that we just have to put up with this s**t ?

The Ant

Hi Beetle, I am an Australian who was coming back from Fiji and was stopped in Brisbane International Airport and subjected to the rudest treatment I have ever had the misfortune of experiencing. It took them about 45 minutes to search 1 bag with my clothes in it, a computer bag and bag with cables and computer accessories. This Customs officer was smirking at me at all times trying to upset me which he succeeded. From the outset he was advised I am a diabetic and diagnosed as clinically depressed. He proceeded to lie to me and told me he had to search me because the x-ray machine showed I had organic materials right throughout my luggage which was a bald faced lie. He proceeded to read each and every document in my possession, read each and every business card I had on me (as if they were looking for something to change in identical business cards). After being subjected to all this crap they called the police and had me charged with obstruction of a public officer and I did nothing of the sortÂ…so now they have changed the charges to intimidation of a public official. The story goes on because I am now facing criminal charges because of this idiot and his mates who helped him to annoy me. At the end of the day they did not find anything illegal on me whatsoever despite what they said their x-ray machine said was in my luggage. These people have way too much power and they love to abuse their powers.