Stun guns and 'Scream' masks prompt Swiss seizure

GENEVA, February 3, 2011 (AFP) - Swiss border guards on Thursday showed off an "exceptional seizure" of 42 disguised stun guns from suspect French men carrying teen horror movie "Scream" face masks who were returning from Bangkok.

The items allegedly bought in Thailand included 'Tazers' disguised as cellphones or torches, Ben Laden, Lenin and "Scream" face masks, laser devices, and counterfeit watches.

Three of the six 20-25 year-olds from the Lyon region in neighbouring France were "known" to French police but were not subject to a warrant, Geneva police spokesman Eric Grandjean said.

"They were released several hours after they were detained because the only thing that could be held against them was the import of illegal material," Grandjean added. Stun guns are regarded as illegal weapons in Switzerland.

"It's an exceptional seizure," said federal customs office spokesman Michel Bachar.

The men were about to take a train from Geneva, by the French border, to nearby Lyon when they were searched, having flown into Switzerland from Bangkok.

Authorities said the fines were in the post.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-02-04

There are plenty of foreigners bringing these things into the UK and elsewhere packed carefully away in their check-in luggage with a key component removed (in the case of stun guns) to prevent any possible problems if searched and items confiscated.

There are plenty of foreigners bringing these things into the UK and elsewhere packed carefully away in their check-in luggage with a key component removed (in the case of stun guns) to prevent any possible problems if searched and items confiscated.

Even with a 'key component' removed they are still prohibited weapons under the UK's Firearms Act 1968.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/firearms/