Shipping Lines Will Get Drug Warning

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32320, 11 June 1970, Page 30

Shipping Lines Will Get Drug Warning

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 10. All shipping companies particularly those trading from the East would be told that a 10-year prison sentence awaited any seaman caught bringing drugs into this country, the Minister of Customs (Mr Adams-Schneider) said today.

The Minister said in a statement that this would be done at the request of Mr Justice Speight, after the sentencing of a Chinese seaman in Auckland to eight years gaol on charges of bringing opium and heroin into New Zealand. “1 am only awaiting confirmation through Crown counsel to put this into immediate effect,” said Mr AdamsSchneider. “1 can assure Mr Justice Speight that the shipping companies will receive his message loud and clear. “I welcome both the Judge’s decision and his request, which will considerably strengthen the hand of the Customs Department. “I am well aware of the

increasing problem of drugs —and hard drugs in particular—in New Zealand, and ray department is taking positive steps to combat this sickening threat. The director of the preventive service is overseas to study new methods of drug prevention and detection, and to establish personal contacts with his opposite numbers in the Customs Departments of countries in the South-East Asian region. “The uncompromising view of the Courts and the deterrent nature of the sentence imposed by Mr Justice Speight is the strongest support 1 can ask to back the efforts of the customs preventive officers.” Mr AdamsSchneider said.