POSSESSION OF OPIUM

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 208, 29 May 1926, Page 7

POSSESSION OF OPIUM

THREE CHINAMEN FINED. Ab the result of a nolice raid on a laundry tn Molesworth Street yesterday, three Chinese, Ah King (aged 28), Hine Beng (aged 26), and Ching Hong (aged 24), stood in the dock in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, charged with having in their possession opium a prohibited drug, in a lit state for smoking. All the accused, who were represented by Air 0. A. L. Treadwell, pleaded guilty. Mr. E. T. MacLaurin, Collector of Customs, who prosecuted, said the offence must be regarded as a serious one. "Som eoplum was found in Hing Beng’s premises, while more was in Ching Hong’s suitcase. Ah King, whom we allege, is dealing in the drug, came to the place in a taxi while the police were inside, and had a five ounce tin in his pocket. All three admit having the goods. I have brought this charge under the Opium Act. so we can cress for a heavy penalty, up to £5O. Mr. Page, 8.M., said that having oniutn tn a fit state to smoke in one’s possession was a serious offence As Ah King evidently dealt in the drug he would be more severely dealt with than the others. Ah King was fined £5O while Hing Beng and Ching Hong were each fined £2O. One week was allowed in which to pay the amounts.