Smugglers' Ways

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 38, 13 August 1932, Page 23

Smugglers' Ways

Although smugglers' caves are but a romantic memory (gays the Melbourne "Argns"), the work of Customs officers supplies constant proof that the gentle art of smuggling is by no moans dead. Altered conditions require altered methods. The modern opium smuggler employs ingenious trickery to outwit the law. The prosecution of a Chinese sailor in the steamer Changte in Sydney recently gave some insight into1 modern methods. After having searched the vessel from stem to stern the officials came upon a nest of 20 tins neatly stowed at the bottom of a barrel of eggs. Tho Chinese sailor is now in prison. Tho most elaborato and ingenious precautions are taken by smugglers of opium and jeweller}-. Armed with a variety of implements, Customs officers turn each Chinese vessel inside out, searching for tho little packages in false piston rods, in the seams of tho deck, in old clothes, and in every conceivable nook and cranny. A large haul of opiun) which' was found by a fisherman floating in the bay last August was dropped from a Chinese steamer the Taiping, which had been thoroughly searched by Customs officers twice boforo reaching Melbourne. Some time ago a wary Customs officer noticed some Chinese 'sailors tossing dead rats on to tho wharf.. He opened them, and dis-

covered a package oi; opium cunningly concealed within each. A story is also told of a ship's cook, who availed himself of his privilege of carrying off all fat collected ou tho voyage and sank tins of opium in it before it had set. In dealing with the amateur smuggler, however, the Customs officer's task is easier. "Anything to declare?" ho asks. "What about tho silk pyjamas you arc wearing underneath your shivt?" The old trick of winding contraband silk round the body is well known to the Customs officer; but ho hns to. rely on catching a random victim, and hoping that it will doter others. Oflieials keep a watch on friends going aboard incoming steamers as well as those leaving. They often notico that a gentleman who went aboard without hat or coat strolls off absentmindedly with an expensivo new felt and a heavy topcoat. Recently a dignified and aristocratic old gentleman walked slowly ashore from a passenger liner and announced that he had nothing to declare, although his stick and «igarette : case were worth a few pounds. Unfortunately the imposing Bpectacle was marred by tho tip of a silk stocking protruding from beneath his trousers. The smuggler is yet far from being a' romantic memory.