THE DRUG TRAFFIC

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 155, 12 April 1928, Page 5

THE DRUG TRAFFIC

MENAGE IN SYDNEY. WIDESPREAD SALE QF COCAINE. STRINGENT LAWS NECESSARY. (United Press Association—Copyright). (Received This Day, 8.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. As a result of the seizure recently of drugs "smuggled into Sydney from the Ea6t, the Commissioner of Police (Mr Mitchell) is urging the need of tightening up the laws against the use of cocaine and other drugs, which he alleges is growing to alarming proportions, and becoming a serious menace. He points out that the police efforts for suppression are handicapped in- that while the laws of New South Wales provide heavy, penalties, the laws of some other States are less stringent. They will not- be able to deal with the evil effectively until it is made a Federal matter, with uniform legislation for the whole' Commonwealth. The drugs, he said, were manufactured and doctored down in Java and Singapore, thence smuggled into Australia. Dealing with the efforts of the police to suppress the traffic, Mr Mitcehll said they found women selling cocaine in the iounges of fashionable hotels, right under the eyes of the managomen. They found men living in luxury on the sale of cocaine to unfortunate girls. Some of them were in charge of dozens of subordinates, who sold the drug in small quantities to addicts. Cocaine was circulated in all quarters of the city. It was distributed from palatial flats at Darlinghurst and from the slums of Surrey Hills. The dealers in drugs were surrounded by gangs of criminals who helped to spend the profits.—Australian Press Association.

ATTITUDE OF THE AUTHORITIES.

NO STONE LEFT UNTURNED. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Referring to the prevalence of the drug traffic, Mr Pratten (Minister of Customs) said that with legislation in other States similar to that in New South Wales the position might be considerably improved. Notwithstanding the most rigid (precautions it was impossible for the Customs Department to police every avenue of importation, but the Department was fully alive to the responsibilities and was leaving no stone unturned effectively to control the importation and disposal of drugs. ;. Mr E. G. Theodore announced his intention of having the matter discussed when the House of Representatives met.—'Australian Press Association.