Customs hand back massage toys to trader

| 16/10/2017 | 128 Comments

Cayman News Service(CNS): Following reports that the Cayman Islands Customs Department had seized a number of massage tools from general store Reflections because officers were concerned that they were sex toys and fell foul of the law, Collector of Customs Charles Clifford said Monday that the items have been returned to the shop’s owner. In an official release, Clifford said they were taken by officers who suspected that an offence may have been committed under section 157 of the Penal Code. “The customs officers’ suspicion was based on their research concerning the particular product,” he stated. 

“I have reviewed that matter and have concluded that there is simply not enough evidence to justify a referral to the director of public prosecutions. Consequently, I have instructed that the items be returned to the Reflections store and provided appropriate advice to my officers on the matter,” Clifford said.

“I have also spoken to the proprietor of Reflections concerning the matter and suggested to him that he take legal advice on section 157 of the Penal Code to ensure that none of his future imports give rise to any issues under that section of the law,” he added.

The revelation that the mini-massage body wands had been seized was first report on Cayman 27, when Prentice Panton, the store’s owner, said he was told they were seized because they are used as a “marital aid”.  But Panton pointed out that the product is not branded as a sexual device and he was concerned how customs determines that a product is used in this way.

“There are various types of massagers; it’s a common product,” Panton told the TV as he also suggested there was some confusion in the law when it comes to some types of adult toys.

The story caused a stir on social media, with many people suggesting that the legislation surrounding these types of goods as well as other adult books and products was archaic and needs revising.

Clifford said that he had been asked for his view on whether the importation, possession and distribution of sex toys should continue to be an offence under the law, but stated, “The issue is not our primary focus as customs officers. It is a policy issue for the government to consider.”

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Category: Crime, Customs

Comments (128)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Just google the name and you will see they only advertised use is for intimate pleasure

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    • Anonymous says:

      Customs never comes correct. They are super lackadaisical and will jump to conclusion like an Olympic athlete.

      Quite possibly they’ve confiscated and seized many local items without assurance from the law, and simply using mere “magic” and it surely can NOT be factual research. However, if the many folks, example being this case, can prove that their goods are outside their vague claims then Customs will face huge lawsuits to come.

      Can you imagine, vibrators from Reflections – whats next? Oat grains from our kids nutritional bars or cereals at Kirks??

  2. Anonymous says:

    So what?! If I want to lock myself in my bedroom, plug it in then stick it where the sun don’t shine what business is it of Her Majesty’s Customs?! I’m a middle-aged man and am just shocked by the waste of public resources to police what adults do behind closed doors. Frankly, some of the people involved in this fiasco could obviously do well with an orgasm…

  3. Anonymous says:

    Why would customs have say over something so personal? It is not drugs or guns. It is a device to use for the body or whichever way you wanted. Seriously get a life. What is in your bag is your business as long as it is not drugs or guns or hoards of cash. Why pretend people don’t pleasure themselves with or without a device, that occurs. Perhaps it is better than sleeping with another person and passing on Stds and unwanted children. That is a bigger worry. Why not confiscate condoms and ‘the pill’ too. The pill can also be seen as a form of abortion along with the Plan B pill. That is illegal is it not? Just make premarital sex illegal and see how far you get.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Cayman seems hell bent on making an absolute fool of itself on the international stage what with this and Anthony Eden’s mad diatribes about gays.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Watch the duty on AA batteries skyrocket

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  6. Anonymous says:

    maybe sex toys would bring down the amount of teen pregnancies and extramarital children that are running rampant on this island.

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  7. Cayman gone! says:

    blah blah blah … cayman gone down the road of sex sex sex! It seems their god is sex. Reason why bloggers here are hung up with sex toys!

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  8. Anonymous says:

    On a very serious note… let’s talk about stimulating minds and indulging pleasure. However, before we do. What the heck is going on in Cayman these days??? What’s wrong with the Custom department??? They don’t have anything better to do with their time that to worry about something looking like a sex toy??? Really!!! Listen, we have serious issues dealing with terrorism which is on high alert anywhere in this world so why not focus on the more important factors than to worry about some little sex toy that could be of beneficial to us women. What they really need to do is make sex toys legal so we can.pleasure our indulging minds.

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    • Anonymous says:

      HM Customs wasting time and resources on this while drugs and guns are pouring in… Zzzzzz.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    To think that such devices customs would think are being imported for sex toys or martial aids?!?! Maybe politicians and government officials should get a complementary package each… then maybe that would stimulate their minds and focus on the people of this country and the real problems that are faced everyday! …… And a bonus would be that some of them stay home to their spouses.

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