SMUGGLER DETECTED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15595, 11 August 1921, Page 5

SMUGGLER DETECTED.

OPIUM IN PETTICOAT.

INCIDENT AT SYDNEY.

SYDNEY, Aug. I.—One day the Sydney Customs officials received a mysterious telephone message. A woman's," voice told them to be on the qui vive in a few days' t,ime, when an Eastern steamer was due. They were to look out for a red-headed, very stylishly-dressed woman, who would go aboard after all the, passengers had disappeared. The informant .would not give her name and rang off.

The Customs officials, engaged in then constant fight with opium-smugglers—-and not too successful a fight, for great quantities of the drug have recently got into the country somehow—neglect n« slightest clue. An official was on special watch for the red-haired woman on th« day indicated. Sure enough, when tint passengers were disembarked, the lady appeared and strolled up the gangway. She spoke to some of the stewards,'and then wandered downstairs, with the Customs man in close attendance. She slipped into a cabin, and he concealed himself nearby. Ho could have pounced, but he wanted to catch her with the goods. After some time she came out quickly, glanced round, and hurried upstairs. The Customs man was close behind. • - . The Customs man overdid it. In his anxiety not. to be beaten, he got too close, and the lady became suspicious. She walked on quickly, and then turned round suddenly. Her "shadow" foolish.ly tried to duck back. The lady thereupon dropped all pretence, and bolted for the deck. The Customs man gave furious chase. When he got on deck sltjr w;is just at the.top, of the gangway. She saw him coming. She paused, thrust a hand inside her plaquel and pulled a string. Thus released, a heavily-weighted underskirt dropped round her feet. She jumped clear and ran down the gang way. The officer stopped to gather up the Rlfirf, with its scores of little pockets filled with opium. Then he went after the lady. She had completely disappeared. Later it war. learned that she maintained a luxurious, little Hat-, and that she had a hundred men friends—including many sailors. She controlled a smuggling scheme in a big way.