The searches can be extreme. My first captains job was on a tanker that shuttled in the North Sea. Prior to my boarding, the British customs darn near took that 90,000 ton ship apart with screw drivers looking for drugs.
Another thing that is considered illegal in some countries is what is called "hides". A compartment to smuggle or "hide" things.
Exactly. A hiding place "proves" intent to smuggle. One must be very careful in how this is done. Subtle.