I read a story of a missing case, that was delivered to the owner's address via courier 3 days later.
It had been opened and all of their cigarettes were missing.
When they questioned this with the airline, they were told they had ticked the terms & conditions upon booking and one of those terms & conditions was "no cigarette or tobacco products to be put in hold luggage"
So at customs, when the bag was x-rayed, although they were within their allowance, these prohibited items were removed.
It was the first I had ever heard this rule, so it's worth checking with your airline when you book, to save losing goods that are often very expensive.
I never put anything of value in checked in luggage...............