LONDON: A road traffic officer who was caught attempting to smuggle cigarettes and alcohol into the United Kingdom from Serbia has been dismissed. Police Constable Susan Best, from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), had travelled from Belgrade to Luton when the incident occurred. The MPS said it was not the first time the officer had failed to declare goods that exceed the allowed amount brought in from Serbia. On arrival at Luton Airport in July, PC Best failed to declare 1,800 cigarettes and three litres of brandy, which exceeds the applicable duty free limit. As she passed through the nothing to declare section, she was stopped by a Border Force Officer, the goods were seized, and she was issued with a warning. At a misconduct hearing held on Friday (May 12) – which PC Best failed to attend – Sergeant Michael Kirk said she “knew she was in possession of these items far in excess of her allowance and failed to declare it”.
“The matters are straight forward, she informed border control of her occupation and elected to hand over the goods instead of paying the excess tax due of $400,” he added. “She was subsequently issued with a warning form for the seized goods which were for another person. “We say the actions of the officer are so serious as to justify her dismissal. Her honesty and integrity is in question, the fact that she has gone through the green channel at the airport and has apparently done this previously on flights back from Serbia (support this).” Dismissing her from the force, Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallen said: “I note that the officer has not attended and I find the matter proven as gross misconduct.” She was dismissed immediately and will be notified in writing.
