PREPARED OPIUM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 16

PREPARED OPIUM

CHARGE AGAINST SEAMAN PROSECUTION AT SUVA [from our own correspondent] SUVA, August '2l TJio discovery of tins concealed in the bathing costume and towel carried by Lewis Dentis Stanford, a member of the crew of the Mariposa, on Tuesday led to his appearance in the Suva Magistrate's Court to-day, charged with being in possession of four tins of prepared opium. Accused said ho was an American subject. Mr. H. J. Subben, a customs officer, said he saw accused coming down the gangway of the ship carrying a towel. When questioned ho said he had his bathing costume inside it. Witness felt the towel and there was something else inside it. On unwrapping the towel he found two tins. Subsequently accused produced two moro tins from round his waist. Accused said a Chinese on board had offered him fivo dollars to take the tins ashore. Evidence was given by the Government analyst that the tins contained opium. In a statement from the dock accused said ho did not know what was in tho tins, each one of which was wrapped separately. He said he was accustomed to taking packages whore for people on the ship to make a little extra money, and he had accepted the chance to do it on this occasion as lie had no money. Accused was committed for trial at the next session of the Central Criminal Court on September 8.