TRAFFIC IN DRUGS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 27 January 1927, Page 7

TRAFFIC IN DRUGS.

SYDNEY POLICE RAID. FIVE SHILLINGS A “PINCH.” SYDNEY, Juu. ll!. Hy a bold raid carried out yesterday the V olicc elaim to have removed any’ doubt that wholesale traffic in drugs is being carried on in Si'dne^. A house in Woollooinooloo was raidod and a man uad woman arrested. They were charged with a breach or the Poisons’ Act. Police, who contiscated a quantity or deadly drug, say they have evidence that cocaine was sold to a woman at the house. . To combat the evil, a drug bureau was recently established, and several ■people very much interested m the dru" trade were greatly surprised to hear that two arrests had been made. It is said that one man asked an officer what power the police had, as the Act had not been passed.' He referred to the Dangerous Drugs Bill. It is stated that those concerned in the trade believed that the police would not show their hand until the enactment of the Bill which is expected shortly. They believed tJia. because they thought the police had no power and: drug-* * running was carried on almost openly. COCAINE SOLD TO ADDICTS. Recently, however, complaints were made concerning the operations or a man said to be a notorious dealer in drugs. It was alleged that cocaine was being sold to many addicts at the house iu Woollooinooloo. Detective S. .Thompson. Sergeant Bussell, Constables J. 11. Chuck and Bailey, and Police-woman Armlield, acting under instructions from Inspector McKay, of Clarence Street, went to Woollooinooloo and intercepted a young woman shortly after she had left a house. .

Two “sniffs” of a powder which appeared t 6 be cocaine—made up in small paper packages- —were taken from her by the police. These packages contained about enough powder to cover a shilling piece. The police then visited the house and arrested a man, who was closely questioned. The place was searched, and packages alleged to contain cocaine were confiscated by the police, who also recovered a marked note. Later a flat iu (College Street was visited, and a woman was arrested. She was also charged in connection with the sale made to the young woman intercepted by the police.

The arrests will cause concern amougst. other “runners” in Sydney, who have been making small fortunes by selling drugs. The fact that addicts will pay five shillings one sniff of cocaine gives some idea of the profit that is made by traffickers. Supplies are evidently plentiful, .though where those engaged in the trade purchase the drugs is in many cases a mystery. Valuable information has bceu gain ed, however, by the Drug Bureau, and the police are confident of stamping out the evil when the. Dangerous Drugs Bill is proclaimed. Under the new Act possession will be an offence against the law, and traffickers can be dealt with drasticallv. At present it is necessary for the authorities to prove beyond all iloubt that a sale has taken place before action can be taken. How useless the Act is now is shown bv- the fact that police have raided houses, and have found large quantities of drugs, but have been unable to do anything, because possession is not an offence. They have not even the power to confiscate the drugs. The new Bill provides that ebernists shall be permitted to use cocaine, morphine, heroin, and similar drugs in only verv small quantities, and m such a way that they cannot bo used to supply addicts. . . . Severe penalties are provided by the Bill. Offenders can be fined up to £250. or sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.