NOT O.K.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 7

NOT O.K.

POLICE SEIZE OPIUM. RAID IN MT. EDEN LAST NIGHT. FIVE TINS FROM SAMOA. SEAMAN HEAVILY FINED. "My men say O.K. Bring eight tins. I will meet you at 8.30 p.m., same place," read a note written in red pencil on the back of a pakapoo ticket found in possession of Peter Joseph McGavin, aged 35, a seaman, who was. arrested in Valley Road, Mount Eden, at eight o'clock last night by Detective-Sergeant McHugh and Sergeant Thompson. But things were not 0.K., for McGavin was found in possession of five tins of opium. He appeared before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, and pleaded guilty to importing unlawfully five tins of prepared opium on August 29, and another charge of having in his possession five tins of prepared opium. The Collector of Customs, Mr. J. Mcintosh, who prosecuted on the first charge, said that as the result of information received, Detective Sergeant McHugh and Sergeant Thompson arrested McGavin last night. Five tins of prepared opium were found in his possession. He admitted bringing the opium to New Zealand by the Maui Pomare in August last. McGavin also admitted getting the opium in Samoa. "The note found shows that' he was about to place the opium with some Chinese last night, and that he was caught before doing so," added Mr. Mcintosh. "The maximum penalty on the first charge is a fine t>f £500. In view of the amount of traffic in opium that is going on, I ask for a heavy penalty." Detective-Sergeant Kelly, who prosecuted on the second charge, pointed out that the Government of New Zealand had promised the League of Nations that it would do all in its power to ttop illicit traffic in opium. "If it is saiu that this opium is for Chinese —well, their room is preferable to their company. There is no doubt that this man was about to dispose of the opium when he was arrested and that prior arrangements had been made for the disposal of the tins." McGavin told the magistrate that he bought the opium cheaply in Samoa last August, and that he did not know its real value. "You cannot tell me that you did not know what it is worth here," said Mr. McKean. On the first charge McGavin was fined £200 or six months' imprisonment, and on the second the minimum fine of £25 or three months' imprisonment.