OPIUM SMOKING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 8

OPIUM SMOKING

SIX CHINAMEN IN COURT

"POLICE WANTED £50."

As a result of a raid by Detectives Harold and Cooper about 11.30 o'clock last evening on the premises at 23, Haining street, six Chinamen appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Wong Chong, 27 years of age, pleaded guilty to charges of smoking opium and being found in possession of opium in a form suitable for smoking, and Sue Hoy, 31 years of age, pleaded guilty to smoking opium. The charges against Ah Fong, Lou Jock, Wong Wah, and Joh Mee, of being found in possession of opium in a. form suitable for smoking were denied by the accused. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. J. M'lntosh, assistant Collector of Customs.

Mr. M'lnto'sh explained that when the premises were raided last evening; the six accused were present and were arrested: Two complete opium-smoking sets were found, besides a quantity of opium in .a form suitable for smoking. Two- Chinamen were actually found smoking.

Detective Harold said that in company with Detective Cooper, he raided the premises. All Fong was sitting on a, bed. and upon the entry of the police he dropped a packet of opium on to the floor. Lou Jock was the proprietor of the house. No opium was actually found on his person. A tin of opium, however, was found in a room. One of the Chinamen admitted being in possession of the opium, and offered witness £15 to hush the matter up. He said_ that the -tin found in the room was his.

Similar evidence was given by Detective Cooper. Through an interpreter, Lou Jock said from the witness-box that he had five visitors on the evening of the raid. One had been going out. and as the door was opened the detectives came. in. They said they wanted to search for opium. Witness replied that if money was all they wanted he would give it to them. He offered the police £15, but they said that was not sufficient. They wanted £50. Witness did not know if the opium found on the premises was his property. Wong Chong said that the detectives had asked for money. This was promised them, but one detective increased the amount to £50, which was not available.

The Magistrate (to the interpreter) : "Does the accused speak English?"— "No."

"Then how did he know what was said?" —"Oh, he understood a little bit." (Proceeding.) A further raid was made on the same premises at noon to-day. It is stated that a quantity of opium was seized.