A Bermudian-born US Army Major and Police officer has accused Customs officials of unprofessional behaviour, claiming they unnecessarily rifled through bank details and other personal documents on his arrival at L.F. Wade International Airport.

Richard Allen believes he was targeted on Friday because he smiled at a female officer and attempted to make eye contact action he said stemmed from his enthusiasm over visiting the Island.

The New York officer said the experience left him with such a sour taste for Bermuda that he can no longer recommend it as a holiday destination, despite having done so for decades prior.

"From the minute the irritated-looking female Customs agent approached me and asked me to step out of the line and follow her with my bag, I sensed that things would not be pleasant," he said.

"I realised early that I was pulled out of the line because of being the only black male in line and had apparently offended another female agent with my friendly gesture and enthusiasm.

"The Customs officer's interest in me was clearly for personal reasons and not due to any random, systematic selection process or criteria."

Mr. Allen grew up on Friswells Road in Pembroke and attended Victor Scott Primary School. He left the Island when he was 13 but has been a frequent visitor over the past three decades.

Having just finished his third tour in Iraq in May, he said he was looking forward to unwinding and catching up with family members for the July 4th weekend.

"I decided I really needed this weekend" he said. "It's always been so relaxing here in Bermuda. I love to come here and go to the beaches and go to all my favourite places."

His problems began while waiting to clear his bag.

"I was so happy to be in Bermuda once again and to make contact with Bermudians in this case Customs and Immigration agents. I gave a friendly smile and made eye contact with one of the female customs agents.

"[This] was when my poor treatment and all my troubles began. The unidentified female Customs agent did not take my friendly gesture very positively. Her immediate verbal response was 'I don't think so!', while shaking her head and distorting her neck in a very dissatisfied manner.

"I quickly gave a friendly wave and told her that I was just trying to say 'hello', because I was just happy to be in Bermuda."

A second agent approached him and pulled him aside soon after. Mr. Allen said that he remained polite while his luggage was checked and he answered standard questions regarding his occupation and length of stay but says his attitude changed due to her unprofessional manner.

"One of the first items she searched inside my pouch was my wallet. I thought this was odd, especially since she already had my passport," he stated.

"The officer continued to go on an endless 'fishing expedition', as she read my personal mail and even my personal bank statements and financial documents."

His anger mounted when the agent refused to give her name when he asked for it: "I have been through Customs in many countries throughout the world, but never have I experienced such measures of degradation, frustration and humiliation. I feel that my rights were violated as the officer had no probable cause or even reasonable suspicion to conduct the type of search and continue with this level of privacy invasion."

The process took an hour and Mr. Allen said he left the airport with "my spirits broken".

He added: "I came to this Country expecting to temporarily escape from the stressful atmosphere of being in combat in Iraq, but instead, was greeted with hostility and disrespect.

"This will be my lasting impression of Bermuda. 'Word-of-mouth' advertisement from a satisfied tourist is priceless.

"Unfortunately, until I am convinced that these hostile and discriminatory practices of profiling and harassing innocent tourists have ended, I can no longer recommend to my friends, family and military counterparts that Bermuda would be a most favourable travel destination."

The departments of Tourism and Immigration did not reply to a request for comment about Mr. Allen's experience by press time.

Said US Consulate Gregory Slayton: "The professional and courteous treatment of all visitors is critical for any jurisdiction, including both the United States and Bermuda. I trust that the Major's concerns will be looked into — and corrections made if needed.

"Americans comprise the huge majority of the Island's tourist visitors — and the tourism industry is of real importance to Bermuda's overall economy. Therefore, it is critical that tourists from the US and all countries be treated with the respect and common courtesy that are hopefully [and usually] the rule at Bermuda Customs."