SMUGGLERS OF 1925.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1926, Page 11

SMUGGLERS OF 1925.

UNMASKING THE CUSTOMS , DODGER. With the recent import duty on silk, smuggling has been intensified. You would be surprised not only at the tricks people resort to in order to cheat the Customs but at the sort of people who have joined the smuggling brigade, says an English writer. There are roughly two distinct classes of smugglers —professional ami holidaymaking. The latter usually try to get through the Customs a pair or two of silk stockings, a big box of chocolates, and presents of various kinds. It is not uncommon for women to wear two, three, and sometimes four pairs of silk ■stockings. One was discovered at Dover the other week with three pairs, two of which were torn and utterly ruined in the process.

Another trick that has become common is the use of a hollow heel, in which cocaine is usually hidden. At the Customs, say at Dover or Victoria, "searchers" are in readiness, but are rarely called upon. The searchers are only brought into action when the suspicions of the Customs officer have been roused. Suppose, for instance, you stoutly affirm that you 'have nothing to declare, and after opening a trunk the officer finds lace, silk, and scent. He will probably hand you over to a searcher, who will carefully search your clothes and your person. Inmany instances suspected smugglers have had to undergo the ordeal of undressing.

In the writer's presence a hunchback was found with tobacco, perfume, and diamonds where the hump was supposed to be. Another man had secreted raw cocaine between his toes.

A woman opened her portmanteau and revealed an open bottle of eau-de-Cologne. She was passed. As she walked through the gate leading to the train another officer asked her why she limped. '

"An accident," she replied.

Her smile did not convince the officer that- she was speaking the truth, and a searcher was put on. She was found to be wearing five silk blouses, while ten pairs of silk stockings were wound round her legs. No wonder she limped. In the coat she was carrying were found fifty pounds' worth of articles on which duty should have been paid. A clumsy smuggler.

A case of cigarettes on which dutywas openly offered had passed the Customs when a new Customs officer —a young fellow —called the man back and, opening the silk paper, took one of the cigarettes. They Vere "blinds," threequarters of each cigarette being filled with dope. Her Dog Accomplice. Tall hats are out of fashion, and the man who tried to pass the Customs -with the inside of one carefully inlaid with, fine silk was another clumsy amateur. There is no doubt, however", that every day the Customs are cheated out of * considerable sum by professional smugglers. Hollowed -walking sticks, boxes of chocolates with the bottom layer a dummy, and "cigars" are favourite devices. But I think the most ingenious trick was resorted to by a woman who was * regular passenger to and from the Continent. She was always accompanied by a small dog, which she carried and fondled as lovingly as if it rvere a child. One day the dog gave the show away by "coughing up" several valuable diamonds. She had trained the dog to retain valuable stones until, by placing two finsrers half-way down the animal's throat, the do? returned the hidden gems! The faithful animal smuggler d'd his duty well for a long time—until that unexpected embarrassing moment. The trick was never tried again.