MYSTERY SMUGGLER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21542, 14 January 1932, Page 10

MYSTERY SMUGGLER

SELLER OF HEROIN. A mystery drug smuggler,- alleged by one witness to be a personage in the diplomatic service, is now figuring largely in the trial of international illicit drug traffickers at Basle. ’ During tbe hearing of the principal accused person. _ a chemical manufacturer named Dr Fritz Muller, it wan disclosed that Muller had sold large quantities of heroin for over £IO,OOO to a certain Borella. A severe cross-examination failed to establish the identity of this man Borella. Muller dropped a hint to the effect that Borella was possibly a Continental diplomat who abused his diplomatic immunity by smuggling large quantities of heroin across the frontiers of Switzerland in the false bottoms of his travelling trunks and cases. He had reason to believe, he said, that Borella was an assumed name, but he did not know the man’s right name. Muller’s admission and suggestion caused a great sensation in court, which was heightened during the cross-examination of ’ another of the accused named Weidmann. This man, it appears, is the only; person;, connected with the case who is cognisant’ of the mystery" smuggler’s real identity.. For over an hour the. prosecuting counselhurled questions and suggestions at Weidmann in order to elicit Borella’s real name and position. Weidmann stubbornly resisted all attempts to be drawn. He was, he explained, " under a strict moral obligation and would in no circumstances betray, his mysterious collaborator. He further refused to give the names of other persons concerned with'-' him in another charge of smuggling £9OO ’' worth of heroin out of Switzerland. The striking fact has been revealed during the present trial that the cases so far, brought before the court represent a quau-" tity of noxious drugs sufficient to poison the whole population of Europe several times over.