Elderly Woman Detained at BER Airport for Illegal Fireworks from Thailand

An incident at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has raised concerns over the smuggling of prohibited items, as a 65-year-old woman was caught attempting to bring illegal fireworks into Germany. The woman had arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, via Doha, and was intercepted during a routine baggage inspection.

The fireworks, described as a battery containing 36 shots, were manufactured in China and lacked the necessary certification to comply with safety regulations, including the required CE marking. According to officials from the Potsdam customs office, the elderly traveler stated that she intended to gift the fireworks to her grandchildren. However, she was unable to present any authorization or competency certificate as mandated by explosives legislation.

This event, which occurred on January 21, has prompted a formal investigation into how the fireworks were allowed to be transported on the aircraft. The customs authorities have initiated legal proceedings based on suspicions of contravening the explosives law, which prohibits the importation of certain items.

Authorities are particularly concerned with how such contraband could make it past security measures, and further inquiries are underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding this incident. The case highlights ongoing issues regarding the enforcement of import regulations and the risks associated with unregulated fireworks.

The customs office emphasized the importance of adhering to safety standards, especially with items that can pose significant risks to public safety.