Smuggling by sea just got more difficult for criminals, under a Bill passed by the Senate awarding greater powers to Customs.The Revenue Amendment (No 2) Act, 2012, makes it an offence for unauthorised vessels to meet with ships coming into local waters.The Bill also gives broader powers of search to Customs officials, and updates laws on the duties and the importation of goods.On the issue of local vessels greeting ships, Junior Environment Minister David Burt told the Senate: “Experience has shown that such rendezvous have occurred within and outside Bermuda’s territorial waters, and have involved the transfer and smuggling of illegal contraband such as guns and drugs into Bermuda by local vessels.”Shadow Health Minister Michael Dunkley voiced Opposition support for the Bill, but questioned how Customs officers would be able to stop illegal meetings.Sen Burt said officials would be able to act on information received, adding: “Currently, there is no recourse for Customs.”Noting that the Bermuda Regiment is to take on an expanded role in policing Bermuda’s waters, Sen Burt said Customs would also be able to act in conjunction with Bermuda Maritime Operations.Adding her support, Independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright said Bermuda’s borders were “wide open” at sea, and that vessels equipped with GPS could easily meet others offshore to pick up guns.Sen Burt said the Bill also gave the Collector of Customs “unfettered discretion with respect to the disposal of goods that have been abandoned to the Government”.As well as searching within a Customs area, officers will also be able to search suspects on any boarded ship, as well as “any building or other place being searched for uncustomed goods”.Workers at terminals in ports of entry will become liable to a fine of up to $12,000 for the unauthorised release of goods. A second offence is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, as well as a maximum fine of $100,000.Rules on the bonds to be given by an importer on goods to be warehoused have been made more flexible, and the Collector is no longer required to demand sureties.Regulations also prohibit convicted individuals from working in a Customs area unless they have approval from the Commissioner of Police. That licensing power has been transferred over to the Collector.