AIR SMUGGLERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 47, 24 January 1936, Page 10

AIR SMUGGLERS.

COASTGUARDS ON THE WATCH. British Customs officers and coastguards on the east and south coasts of the British Isles have been ordered to redouble their vigilance and report immediately the transit of all suspicious aircraft. This is the result of the discovery by the French Customs authorities of the existence of an international gang which is using aeroplanes for the smuggling of drugs. It is alleged that aircraft are being used for' conveying cocaine and heroin between Germany, France, Belgium, and the British Isles. These drugs are the favourites of addicts, and are “peddled” at such tremendous prices that even a small consignment, successfully run by the smugglers, means an immense profit, and is considered to be well worth the risk involved There is, according to the authorities, so far no definite evidence that the gang has run any drugs into Britain. There is still a ecytryn amount of trafficking in some oi the less reputable night clubs in London. In at least one, it is stated, there is a special “dope cocktail” supplied to those who know how to ask for it, while at others the waiters act as peddlers of cocaine and heroin. But, generally speaking, it is believed that the police have made an end of the traffic. If the coast watchers now find that an unusually long time has been taken on an aeroplane trip, the pilot may be asked to explain his movements. If he should be a smuggler, it is possible that after leaving an aerodrome on the Continent ho lias made a secret rendezvous to pick up an illicit cargo, which he has disposed of at an agreed spot before landing at an aerodrome in Britain. That is considered to be about the only way aeroplane smugglers could client the authorities.