drug lords are always improving their techniques, says Principal Customs Officer Sean Pitcher.

While some couriers give themselves away, others are pros and more difficult to detect.

"It can be a bit of a science,'' Mr. Pitcher admits. "You know the type of people that come here.

"If you're visiting, you will have done a little research on the Island. You know where you are staying, who you're staying with.

"They say they are staying with their girlfriend. We ask her name. If he says Rachel, we say `Rachel who?' If you don't know your girlfriend's last name, then it's a giveaway.'' Other couriers make it rather easier for the drugs team.

Mr. Pitcher says: "One fellow brought in heroin from Amsterdam but blew it by deciding to sample his wares. He shot up in the toilet during the landing. He began to overdose and somebody spotted a bulge in his pants. It was a big packet of heroin.

"We stopped one suspect and while she was waiting to be searched, she stuck her hand in her bra and started pulling out these tissues with cocaine inside saying `I really don't know how these got here' in the middle of the baggage room.

"We were saying `No lady, keep your clothes on!' You never know what you'll come across.'' Despite the scale of the task, which he admits is akin to looking for a needle in a haystack during the cruise ship searches, Mr. Pitcher, 37, is still enjoying his work.

He has seen it all during his 16 years in the job, which has included spells working on joint importation squad with narcotics team from the Police and heading a rummage crew for three years.

"I've always enjoyed the fight against drugs,'' he says. "No day is ever the same, that keeps it interesting. I've had some good seizures at the airport.'' Mr. Pitcher describes his career highlight.

"My team got 65 pounds of marijuana,'' he says. "We didn't compromise the discovery. We did a controlled delivery and arrested two people -- one got seven years.

"I was surprised at the guy who did it. He seemed a level-headed kid working at the Airport. He wanted to get back to university and finish his degree.

"Police searched his house and found he had been writing novels -- maybe he wanted cash to fund his writing career. But he wanted his money today instead of having to work for it. It was concealed in two TV sets.

"When you make a bust, especially when you've made it through your own intuition, then the adrenaline rush is incredible.

"You get some sense of satisfaction that you are doing something worthwhile.'' -- Matthew Taylor CUSTOMS CUS