"racist'' and "bogus'' Customs practices.

Mr. Brian Porter told The Royal Gazette he dismissed it as a one-off event when Customs officers searched his wallet and read every personal paper in it before allowing him to leave Bermuda after a visit last September.

But, the New Yorker said, he lost his cool after he was searched and detained recently at the airport for close to two hours.

Mr. Brian arrived on American Airlines 7.20 p.m. flight from New York.

In order to avoid any problems, he said, he informed a Customs officer that he had prescription drugs for his cold.

"I said I had nothing else to declare and presented the ampicillin and penicillin (antibiotics),'' Mr. Porter said.

"The officer then proceeded to search every piece of clothing in my possession, as well as health and beauty aids, gifts, etc., totally destroying my neatly packed luggage and other belongings.'' Mr. Porter said the Customs officer told him that he was searched because he appeared to be anxious and that is an indication that one might be a drug courier.

Despite his objections, Mr. Porter said the officer ordered him to empty his pockets and wallet and read every "piece of paper in it''.

This all took place in the public area, he added.

A narcotics officer was then summoned and Mr. Porter said he was taken into a detention room and strip-searched.

"When this action proved negative, I was threatened to be taken (to the hospital) for an X-ray,'' he said.

"I knew I did not have any drugs. So I said let's go.'' Mr. Porter said it was then that the officers began to back down.

"I was never advised of my rights,'' he said, " nor was I allowed to speak with a representative from the US Consulate.'' Mr. Porter said the Customs officer, who refused to give his name, also refused to call a "higher-ranking Customs official when requested to do so''.

"The Customs officer appeared to be very arrogant as well as ignorant,'' he said. "In fact, I would say he was also racist.

"His method for determining whether or not I should be taken for an X-ray was putting his hand over my heart twice to see there was an accelerated heartbeat.

"After doing this he said your heartbeat is not fast enough so we won't take you.'' He said he was then allowed to leave.

"Luckily,'' he said, "There were still two taxis outside to take him to his accommodation.'' Mr. Porter said when he contacted the US Consulate he was told that there was nothing they could do.

And he said when tried to contact assistant Collector of Customs at the airport Ms Brenda Raynor, he was told that he would have to mail his complaint to the Collector of Customs Mr. Gerry Ardis. He said he planned to do that.

And he said he plans to find out what other action he can take concerning the matter.

Mr. Porter, however, said his experiences with Customs will not stop him from returning.

"I like the Island and the people and I would come back,'' he said. "I have close friend here who I've known for 10 years. But if I know of anyone coming here, I will forewarn them about Customs.'' ANGRY VISITOR -- American visitor Mr. Brian Porter.