In June last year a man arrived at Leeds-Bradford Airport from Pakistan carrying a shoulder bag.

Six months later, that same man was beginning a prison sentence for attempting to bring more than £650,000 of heroin into the UK.

The discovery of the drug – hidden in the sleeves of cigarette packets carried in the bag – was thanks to the hard work and vigilance of officials from Border Force, the Government’s law enforcement command responsible for entry control and customs. Its officers are at the forefront of the fight to prevent drugs, weapons, other contraband and illegal immigrants from entering the UK.

Their intensive training and partnership working with other agencies is paying dividends with numerous successful convictions throughout each year for smuggling goods from Class A drugs to endangered species.

“It is an international airport with links to Asia and the Continent says Kevin Parsons, interim director for Border Force for Yorkshire and Humber.

“There is a wide variety of goods smuggled to Leeds-Bradford Airport, so we have to be vigilant. Every week we get incidents of smuggling tobacco, Class A drugs and other commodities. With tobacco, it is a daily occurrence.”

In May last year, Border Force officials at LBA seized almost 30,000 cigarettes from three airline passengers travelling from Lithuania, wearing specially-adapted waistcoats to conceal their haul. And in November a Pakistan International Airlines steward appeared in court charged with attempting to import two and a half kilograms of heroin.

The Border Force does not release figures for each port – Leeds-Bradford being one of three airports and a number of sea ports in the region – but figures “remain steady.”

Increases can occur, however, says Kevin, at certain times of the year, such as Christmas, when people may try to bring in tobacco and counterfeit goods such as designer clothes and perfumes.

While the general public would commonly associate smuggling with such items, they are less aware of other types of goods.

“We also seize a number of offensive weapons, “ says Kevin. “Knuckle dusters, batons, stun guns and other weapons that may be acceptable in some countries, but not here.”

Live animals and foodstuffs are also seized. Last year two separate attempts to smuggle birds into the UK inside suitcases were prevented by Border Force officials at LBA, who work closely with the police and HM Revenue and Customs.

Nine grey Francolin birds, native to South Asia and often bred for fighting, were discovered hidden inside suitcases belonging to passengers arriving from Pakistan. “These were not endangered species, but a health threat,” says Kevin, “Our work covers a wide area of animal welfare and public health issues.”

In the north of England officers have come across instances of parrots stitched into pockets.

He emphasises that information issued to travellers clearly states what is and is not permitted. “Ignorance is not acceptable as an excuse.”

As well as goods and animals, the force has a responsibility to tackle human trafficking and plays a role in counter terrorism. “At Leeds-Bradford, we work closely with West Yorkshire Police and other police forces across the country. We have always worked together, but in recent years this has become even more important. We are building our joint work all the time.”

Following work by Border Agency officers, HMRC conducts criminal investigations “We work closely with local councils. We worked with Leeds City Council in the case involving the Francolin birds – they undertook a successful prosecution of the individual concerned.”

Penalties, which can be severe, depend upon the commodity and can range from fines, and seizures of the goods, to prison sentences. “For someone smuggling a Class A drug there will be a major prison sentence,” says Kevin.

There is no typical profile of a smuggler, nor country of origin,” says Kevin, “It can be anyone, from any place. We have to be alert to the possibility of smuggling in all scenarios.”

The element of risk does, however, play an important role in their work. “If flights are coming in from countries where drugs are produced or from airports with connections to those countries, there is normally a higher risk. We would adjust the controls for that risk.”

He adds: “We cannot check everyone coming into the UK. It is based on risk, intelligence, background information and officers’ perceptions. We have to strike a balance and ensure the travelling public are not delayed too much.”

Kevin pays tribute to the hard working officers at LBA. “It is a difficult job and their persistence pays off.”

To report any type of smuggling, call the customs hotline on 0800 595000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.