WOULD-BE SMUGGLER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8743, 17 December 1913, Page 5

WOULD-BE SMUGGLER.

SUBSTANTIAL FINES' IMPOSED

AUCKLAND, December 16. Charges brought against Lionel Cohen by the Customs Department were heard in the Police Court uy Mr Frazer, S.M., to-day. The defendant pleaded guilty to the. two charges brought against him. The first was that on December 3, when landing from, the s.s. Maheno he declared ihat he had no dutiable goods in his luggage or on' his person, whereas a search revealed that he brought ashore five gold watches, bracelets, rolled-gold watch and one pair of ear-rings, valued at £39. The second charge was that oa December 9 he jnade a false declaration that certain watches were "■ valued at" £33 los, when the amount should have been £11 or £12 larger. "The whole of the circumstances are suspicious," said Mr Frazer. The story of why the articles were placed in various parts of the, bag was rather far-fetched. He did not see how he could be expected to believe the explanation that had been offered. In the statement with regard to the false declaration there might be an element of truth. He would regard it as a first offence. On that charge the fine would, be £100, and he would reduce it to £25 under section 202. On the other charge a fine of £100 and costs would be imposed.