NIGHT RAID IN CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 8

NIGHT RAID IN CITY.

FOUR CHINESE ARRESTED.

DOOR BATTERED DOWN. AXES AND CROWBARS USED. alleged opium smoking. A raid was made by detectives on Chinese laundry premises .in Grey's Avenue, opposite the Town Hall, last evening, and four Chinese wrre arrested and a quantity of opium was seized. A door had to be battered open before the detectives could gain admittance. Shortly after eight o'clock Defectives Nalder, McWhirter and Packman arrived at the front door of the premises. Failing to secure admission they went to the right-of-way at the back arid, after making their way through a small yard, set to work upon the back door of the building. No difficulty was experienced in opening the door, but the detectives then found their way- barred by an inner door that offered stout resistance. Axes and crowbars were brought into play and the sound of splintering wood was heard by the large crowd that had gathered at the back and front of''tjhe block. News of the raid spread'very quickly, the curious spectators, who continued to increase in number, comprising many Chinese who, for the most part, looked on stolidly and without comment. There was little to be seen, however, beyond an occasional flicker of light in the windows. Watchers at the back heard the muffled sound of voices. Once they had made their way inside the detectives commenced to search the premises. An object was seen projecting from the ceiling and - when two of the ceiling boards were pulled down a quantity of opium and a number of opium, pipes were found. After the raid had been in progress for about an hour a taxicab was driven to the back door and four Chinese, in the charge of detectives, were driven to the police station, where they were charged. The arrival of the taxi was a signal to the crowd in front of the building to run round to the back, where they mingled with those already gathered and pressed round the vehicle so that the doors were opened only with difficulty. Curiosity kept many of them in the vicinity long after the raid had finished.

Of the arrested Chinese one was charged with keeping premises used for opium smoking. The other three were charged with beipg on premises used for opium smoking and with being in the possession uf prepared opium.