MYSTERY PUNE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26672, 19 January 1948, Page 5

MYSTERY PUNE

SMUGGLING SUSPECTED GOLD FOR THE EAST OPERATING FROM OLD R.A.A.F. AIRFIELD N.Z.P.A.—Copyright Rec. 7.45 p.m. CANBERRA, Jan. 18. Reports from Darwin state that an unknown aircraft has been secretly operating for some time from a deserted R.A.A.F. aerodrome in heavy jungle 50 miles south of-Darwin. The Minister of the Interior, Mr Johnson, has revealed that the Commonwealth suspects the unidentified aircraft of being involved in big gold smuggling operations to the East, where gold is selling for £3O an ounce on the black markets. Mr Johnson discounted suggestions - that planes were smuggling arms to Indonesia. Though several thefts from service munition dumps in the Northern Territory have taken place, the quahtity taken was relatively small and consisted mostly of rifle ammunition which probably went to Northern Territory buffalo hunters. The Administrator of the Northern Territory said that an Avro Anson plane used Wyndham aerodrome six weeks ago without the knowledge or approval of the Civil Aviation Department. Northern Territory police officers of land and sea patrols were ordered six months ago to watch for strange aircraft. He was not surprised to Hear that Batchelor airstrip had been used by a mysterious aircraft. The strip was in good condition, was conveniently close to Darwin, and yet was secluded enough for the users to escape observation. A police officer said: "We believe the smugglers are bringing in large quantities of drugs, jewellery, perfume and silk from Malaya. They may also be landing illegal migrants and leaving them to make their own way south. Many illegal migrants stranded in the East are willing to pay £SOO for entry into Australia. “ We think the operations have been going on for some time and that goods worth many thousands of pounds have found their way to large, wealthy black market rings in the southern and eastern States. It is thought the smugglers made their latest landing