TOBACCO SMUGGLING METHODS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 117, 11 February 1936, Page 8

TOBACCO SMUGGLING METHODS

How Law-breakers Operate

SMALL LOTS SOLD FOR CHEAP ‘‘MIXTURES”

Though Customs authorities are not prepared to admit that the illicit selling of tobacco is giving cause for concern in Wellington, a prosecution iu Christchurch at the end of last week serves to reveal that this method of making a living in defiance of the law is by no means rare in New Zealand. In the course of the prosecution, which was successful, the collector of Customs in Christchurch (Mr. C. O. Trownson) remarked that “there had been a good deal 'of illicit selling of tobacco during the past year or two and the Customs Department was rather disturbed about it.” In the case before the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court it was shown that defendants were found attempting to sell 41b. of tobacco, which they admitted came from Nelson. When approached by “The Dominion” yesterday Customs officials in Wellington preferred not to comment upon the case except to say that the department was on the watch for such illicit selling, which usually was reported through trade channels. As the word “smuggling” usually is applied to the deliberate avoidance of duty payments on goods brought into the country from overseas, it .is not generally known that toba.cco can be and has been “smuggled" from one part of New Zealand to another, with profit, be it ever so humble, to those who have broken the law. Tobacco may not legally be sold direct from grower to consumer. Under the Customs Acts Amendment Act, 1934, it is provided that before any raw tobacco grown in New Zealand is removed from the premises on which it was grown, full particulars shall be given to the collector of Customs. It is further provided that all tobacco must be removed from the place of growing or curing direct to a licensed! and bonded tobacco factory. There it is manufactured in various forms and, after being released from bond, reaches the market. The tobacco “smuggler” attempts to short-cut this journey to the market, leaving for himself in the process a margin of profit that includes not only manufacturers’ profit but a duty of 4/4 a pound. To do this not only must he break the law himself, but ho must have the confederation of at least two other persons—a grower and a retailer of tobacco. ■

At first sight it might appear that the smuggler could operate in league with a grower alone, peddling his wares among such consumers as could be induced to buy. In practice, however, this restricts his mirket. Much of the tobacco grown in New Zealand—certainly the class of tobacco likely to reach the hands of a smuggler—is far from being ready for the consumer when It leaves the grower’s premises. Its quality is raw and crude,, and few buyers would bo tempted to try a second purchase, even at Illicit cut rates. Knowing this, the smuggler must seek a dishonest retailer, one who stocks much tobacco, and preferably one who blends his own “mixtures” for sale to the public. Unpalatable though it may be In itself, smuggled tobacco has been used' to “water down” properly cured tobacocs, the resultant mixtures being sold more cheaply and with greater profit.

Having made his arrangement it remains for the' smuggler to bring the tobacco to his market. Here the nature of the commodity assists the lawbreaker, for a comparatively large quantity of tobacco cam be squeezed into a small space. Every smoker knows that a 2oz. plug of tobacco is not much larger than a twopenny wax matchbox, and while it is unlikeiy that the smuggler would be able to squeeze his tobacco as tightly as that, it is plain that a well-packed suitcase could contain enough tobacco to pay the smuggler’s travelling expenses and show something of a profit into the bargain.