CAUGHT RED-HANDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 4, 6 January 1922, Page 7

CAUGHT RED-HANDED.

OPIUM SMUGGLER'S FATE. AN EXCITING CAPTURE. HAUL OFF AUCKLAND EXFRESS. There was a mild sensation on the Palmerston North railway station on Thursday morning, the upshot of which was an important seizure by the lotal police, in the shape of a small but valuable consignment of opium, culminating in the arrest of a middle-aged Chinaman in whose possesion the forbidden "poppy juice" was found. Just after the Auckland express had drawn in, two Chinese quitted the train and stepped on to the platform. Almost at the same moment Detective Culloty and Constable Murphy —both in plain clothes— accosted the Orientals and led them into the station mailroom. There the police officers proceeded to minutely search the clothes and effects of the two men. One of the Chinese—a squat, heavily built, muscular man of the labouring type, carried a small Gladstone bag, and lie vigorously protested against being submitted to ihe indignity of a search. A jargon of strongly-voiced Chinese and pigeon English floated out of the windows of the room and put the knot of bystanders on the platform on the gui vive. The second Chinaman, who was soberly but expensively attired, and who carried no luggage, maintained a dignified demeanour throughout the whole operation, and blandly assured the officers that he was innocent of the whereabouts of any contraband. AN ORIENTAL OUTBURST. Presently gome choice Anglo-Saxon expletives of Oriental pronunciation hurtled through the air to the ears of the curious throng on the platform. At the same moment the Chinaman of the plebeian garb was firmly thrust, squirming and swearing, out of the door on to the platform, with the parting injunction to clear off. This he did with considerable reluctance, and before turning into Main Street —his destination was apparently Palmerston North—harangued the sightseers in his native lingo, an dthen, realising that his words were being wasted, he branched oft' into a stream of wild invective in the tongue of the country of his adoption. This was directed against the police officers, and in loud tones he invoked the aid of the Deity in consigning them to the nether regions. Then with one final sal\o he pursued the uneven tenor of his way in the direction of the Square. A minute or so later the door was again opened to permit of the exit of the second Chinaman, who gave his name, as .Joe Yin, closely shepherded by the detective and the constable. All three made their way to a second-class smoking compartment, where the Chinaman —who it transpired was a through passenger from Auckland to Wellington— indicated a small portmanteau as containing his worldly belongings. There the police encountered a third Chinaman. Of youthful appearance, immaculately clad in tan Oxfords and lavender sox, a perfect fitting suit of choice grey tweeds cut to the latest design, starched linen and velour hat, the latter exuded an air of prosperity. He also blandly proclaimed his innocence, and with perfect sangfroid deftly lighted a cork-tipped cigarette. AN ''INNOCENT" BTJN___. Jugt then the station "bell indicated the impending departure of the express, and in order to carry out the search the police hustled the suspects on to the platform and into the porters' room, taking with them Joe Yin's baggage. His-compatriot said that he had no personal effects with him. The door of the porters' room was kept closed throughout the search, which occupied nearly ten minutes.

Nothing of any moment was found on tbe person of either man, but when it came to Joe Yin's bag it was a different story; and although the contraband was cleverly camouflaged in a bundle of soiled linen it did not escape the keen eyes of the searchers. In all geven tins of first-quality opium, branded with Chinese hieroglyphics, were secured. The tins resembled in shape and appearance the containers usually used for talcum powder. Also secreted among the linen were pieces of pungent cinnamonwood bark and small bottles and packages of Oriental potions and highly-scented powders. The contents of the bag also included a surprising number of radianthued socks. CHINESE SANGFROID. Joe Yin was marched off to the police station, while his more fortunate countryman was turned loose and advised to take the next train to Wellington. The latter toyed with his gold-mounted cigarette case for a few moments, all unmindful of the inquisitive gaze of the bystanders, and then wended his way to a comfortable seat on the. platform. The search had disclosed that he was a recent arrival from Suva, and that he was a through passenger to Dunedin. He had considerable currency in —ia wallet. No time was wasted in bringing Joe Yin before the Court. There he was charged before Messrs. F. Asher and J. Mowlem, J.'sP., with being in possession of seven tins of opium in a form suitable for smoking, and on the application of Senior-Sergeant Fraser he was remanded till Monday next. The bench fixed bail at £200 in accused's own recognisance, or two sureties of £100 each. Subsequent to his being charged it was discovered from an alien registration card found in his possession thjat Joe Yin's real name was Wong Yin and that he was a proprietor of a laundry in Auckland.. THE- OPIUM SMUGGLERS. Despite all elaborate precautions, illicit opium smoking is carried on throughout the Dominion by persons who undoubtedly do not look to the importers authorised by the Minister for their supplies. Year in year out a certain quantity of opium must by devious means be smuggled into New Zealand — in what manner the authorities would like to know. It is an accepted fact that the ramifications of the opiumsmugglers—which are centralised in the East—extend all over the world. Much of the contra brand destined for New Zealand is, it is believed, smuggled into Australia in tbe first instance and then by hook or by crook sent over to the Dominion. The risks are great, but the profits are even greater. The penalty for detection is heavy, and the watch * e pt so keen that of necessity opiumand smoking have developed ™to a. fine Art. .' As;an instance of what length some CMnsse will go to obtain opium, it has **ea authoritatively stated that cases *§»c come within the purview of the police where the smoker had distilled tiorphia in order to get the residue (largely composed of opium) for smokHJR. lodine has also been known to be distiued for the same purpose. Opium at all times is costly, but obtaining suppose by this process is an exceedingly expensive matter.