ChildhoodChildren's encyclopaedia and photo album
These objects illustrate how some people are prepared to exploit the innocent appearance of children’s books and toys in their attempts to smuggle illegal items into the country. At first glance these two books appear quite harmless: a hard-backed children's encyclopaedia and a photo album. They were seized by Customs and removed from two passengers arriving at Heathrow Airport. On closer inspection the drug heroin was found hidden in the covers of both books. A carefully constructed concealment using carbon paper was used to cover the drug. The smugglers hoped this would help avoid detection during x-ray examinations. The passengers had arrived from the Far East and claimed not to know one another. Unfortunately for them, photographs showing the two together were found in the album. Smugglers through the ages have used everyday items to hide illicit goods. The use of children's books and toys as a disguise is such an example. Customs Officers even found a stash of diamonds sewn up inside a teddy bear once. The collections of HM Revenue and Customs held at National Museums Liverpool include a variety of cunning concealments that have been used for smuggling. Other objects include an umbrella, an NHS crutch and even a cricket ball! In this section
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