Tennis Everyone

I am writing a University report on how antiquities are often smuggled back from warzones for profitable and illegal sale in allied countries (by fleeing refugees rather than service-people, I add hastily).

As a postscript, however, I would like to write about how easy it would be for a soldier /sailor/ aircrew to do the same; when you come home from active service, how hard would it be to smuggle back a small artefact (tennis ball size), or even something threatening like a plundered hand gun or camcorder?

I know lots of WW2 troops brough back ‘souvenirs’ like Lugers and kettle-top helmets and wondered if this would still be possible today, or is base security too high- what is the basic procedure for tropps returning home?

Note I am interested in the practised security, NOT what is written in the book (if the two differ). Thanks for any help.

I am sorry if have cause offence to anybody here, it is a genuine question for an assignment.

Thanks!