RAID ON CHINESE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 July 1937, Page 6

RAID ON CHINESE.

OPIUM DEN SURPRISED. CONVICTIONS FOLLOW SUNDAY NIGHT POLICE RAID (Special to “Chronicle”). PALMERSTON N., This Day. Entering an upstairs room over laundry premises in Main street on Sunday night, two members of the detective force in Palmerston North surprised five Chinese, some with opium pipes in their hands, who appeared in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., yesterday on various charges as a result of the raid.

Peter Kwong Yiek, Ah Hong and Joe Jack were each charged with being found without lawful excuse on July 18 on premises at 317 Main street, used for the purpose of opium smoking. Afi Hong was also charged with being found in possession of prepared opium. Ah John, alias Fong Sang, a gardener, 25 years of age, and Sue Poy, a gardener aged 34, were each charged with being in possession of prepared opium and with smoking opium. “They have so many aliases I am scarcely certain which are my clients,’' said Mr. G. Crossley, who entered pleas of not guilty on behalf of Fong Sang and Sue Poy. The others, who were not represented, also pleaded not guilty. ' Entering the witness box, DetectiveSergeant A. p. Meiklejohn, who prosecuted, said that with aeting-Deteetive Compton he entered laundry premises at 317 Main street on Sunday night at 8.40. They went upstairs to a room which was used exclusively for the purpose of opium smoking. The room was. shut, but when they entered they found two lamps burning, and near these were Fong Sang and Sue Poy r-eelining on opium beds. Each had. a head rest and a warm opium pipe in his hand. Joe Jack and Peter Kwong Yick were near to Sue Poy, while Ah Hong, an old man, was on another bed in the room, not far away from a third opium lamp. As the search began, the old man moved uncomfortably, and a tin of opium seconds was picked up from behind him. He was obviously affected by something, and the others said he was unwell. The room was reeking with opium fumes. Hong had been living on the premises for two years, he said. He denied smoking. Occupant Serving Sentence. Another tin of opium seconds was picked up from bed on which lay Sue Poy, said the detectivesergeant. The real occupant of the premises, Joe Ming, was away; he was at present serving a sentence imposed as a result of the last raid on the premises. Who was running it for him was difficult to say.

“You’re a liar; I was not smoking,” interjected Fong Sang from the dock when Mr. Meiklejohn, cross-examined by Mr. Crossley, repeated that Sang and Poy each had a pipe in his hand. Acting-Detective Sergeant Compton gave corroborative evidence. Ah Hong and Joe Jack were convicted for being on the premises and each fined the minimum penalty, £l2 10s, in default one month. The charge against Hong of being in possession of opium was dismissed. Each was allowed a month in which to find the money.

“The man who was rather abusive has a list of previous offences, although he has not been caught for opium smoking before/’ said Mr. Meiklejohn. Fong Sang and Sue Poy were each fined £25, in default two months’ imprisonment, for smoking opium, the other charge against them being withdrawn. They were allowed a month in which to find the money. The Magistrate accepted the explanation of Peter Kwong Yick that he went to the house inquiring about employment, and that he had never smoked a pipe of opium. The charge was dismissed.