On Thursday, November 22, 2024, Customs and Border Control (CBC) officers stopped and searched a male Bulgarian national at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA), arriving on a flight from Toronto, Canada. 

During the x-ray of his luggage, officers discovered suspicious foreign objects concealed inside a laptop. Further examination revealed items suspected of being used for skimming debit and credit cards. This discovery averted potential thefts, as the items were designed to be used when inserted into a terminal. Additional searches of his luggage revealed a card scanner machine and twenty-five (25) blank cards with a black magnetic strip on the back. 

As a result of the findings, the person appeared before the summary court on 9 December and was sentenced to nineteen (19) weeks for possessing equipment for stealing. 

Senior Deputy Director of CBC, Mr. Kevin Walton, emphasised “This is another significant seizure by our officers, preventing potential thefts. This demonstrates our service’s unwavering commitment and competence in border security and sends a clear message to scammers that the Cayman Islands is not a place you should consider travelling to take advantage of our citizens or visitors.” 

CBC officers remain committed and diligent in thwarting persons from attempting to smuggle contraband into the Cayman Islands.