DEALING IN OPIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 6

DEALING IN OPIUM.

SEAMAN CAUGHT RED-HANDED. . AUCKLAND, February 2S. V illiam Miles, a seaman on the Niagara, appeared in the Police Court this morning charged with unlawfully importing prepared opium. Mr A. V. Penn (Collector of Customs). who prosecuted, stated tnat this morning Detective O’Sullivan arrested Miles, who was in possession of two tins of prepared opium worth £9 15s for each tin. Miles obtained the “ black smoke ” from Chinese in Sydney, hoping that he would sell it in Auckland at a profit. Mr Penn drew the magistrate’s attention to the new Act, which prescribes a maximum penalty of a fine of £5OO. or 12 months’ imprisonment, or to such fine and imprisonment together. The minimum fiu< was £125. Chief Detective Hammond said that a few weeks ago in a similar case concerning a seaman off the Ulimaroa who had smuggled opium into Auckland, Mr Hunt imposed a fine of £5O. “ But that was a mistake,” said Mr Penn. “ This is the first time I’ve dealt with opium,” said Miles. “That is why I was caught so easily this morning. I had heard a lot about this stuff and the big money that could be male, so I thought I might make a few bob out of it. I got it in Sydney, and took it to Vancouver, but could not sell it, so I brought it here, and was caught trying to get rid of it to-day. lam a married man with two children in Sydney, and I am not connected with any opium ring.” “ It would be absurd to fine this man £125,” said Mr Hunt, “ and I don’t want to send him to gaol. I want him to leave on his ship to-day.” “ It is bad luck that he was caught the first time. Still, the traffic in opium has been fairly considerable lately,” remarked Mr Hammond. Mr Penn added that the Union Company would discharge Miles when be got to Sydney. The company would uot keep a man on who smuggled opium. “ I don’t think I’ll look at that statute of your's, Mr Penn,” said Mr Hunt, who then fined Miles £25.