Any Customs Officers About?

[AndAsIfByMagic]

Insomnia led me to watch a programme about New Zealand customs in the middle of the night.

They drilled into various objects and found drugs concealed there. The objects were destroyed in the searching.

What would have happened if there was nothing found? Are they obliged to provide compensation?

What if they destroyed a treasured family heirloom?

I expect they pay some compensation, but having stuff destroyed is surely a condition of entry which you have accepted before travel?

I guess so but it would be awful to have something of sentimental value destroyed.

In real life there won't be any drilling or other damage made until we're pretty sure there is something in there.
Damage isn't paid for on items that are seized, but if nothing is found then the owner would be compensated.

AFAIK that situation never arises at the airport I work at. Very few things are drilled either. Concealments aren't normally that good tbh.

Thanks for the replies.