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OK, I know that I am an "US Cousin" but as a former security officer I know a couple things that might help. Security guards in the US or officers are agents of the establishment that has hired them. They have just as much right to detain you as the store manager or clerk. They have the right to detain or even arrest you if they have witnessed you commit a misdemeanor. However it is still a "Citizen arrest". The uniform and badge do trick people, however, into thinking they have more power than they actually do. Legally they have to get permission (just like the cops do by the way) to do any searches of your person. But the appearance of authority usually causes people to comply. It is appropriate to comply with the requests of these officials as they do have some powers to detain you and make your life miserable as you wait for them or the police to do an investigation. I hope this helps. you did good by allowing them to search your bags. It removed any doubt by them that you were a bad guy. Keep up the honest work!
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