OPIUM SMUGGLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 220, 16 September 1924, Page 4

OPIUM SMUGGLING.

A RECORD SEIZURE. CHINESE ARRESTED. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. f A big haul of opium, estimated to beworth £1000, was made by Cnstonu officers on duty at the Queen's wharf jlast evening, and a Chinese carpenter belonging to the steamer Sussex wag arrested on a charge of attempting to smuggle- opium into the country. Early in the evening a Customs officer on duty on Queen's wharf observed a man wearing an overcoat come ashore from the Sussex. Something about the y | man caused the official to ask him , whether he had any dutiable goods am ' his person. The man, who proved to be a Chinese member of the Sussex's crew, replied: "Nothing." Not satisfied with : this answer, the official searched the j Chinaman and found four tins of opium on him. A search was then made in the man's caibin, and 48 more tins of opium were discovered. The Chinaman was then taken onto custody. The opftim --seized amounted to 52 tins: valued at £1000. This is believed to be one of the largest hauls ever made in New Zealand. ';. The Sussex, which is from Calcutta, Singapore and Samarang, via Auckland," arrived at Wellington early yesterday morning. It is believed that the opium" was smuggled aboard at one of the Eastern ports, and that the owner proposed to dispose of some of it at each' of the New Zealand ports visited. BAIL REFUSED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.)' -, WELLINGTON, this day. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, Ah Pin, a carpenter on the steamer Sussei, was charged with having smuggled in opium. He was remanded for a week, bail being opposed. It is understood that the case will be taken to the Supremo Court.