SMUGGLING DRUGS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 115, 20 June 1914, Page 3

SMUGGLING DRUGS.

AN INGENIOUS METHOD.

HASHISH IN BARREL STAVES. An ingenious method of smuggling hashish into Egypt by concealing it in slots in the staves of barrels packed with other goods' was described at the Mansion House. [Hashish is an intoxicating preparation of Indian hemp; in different forms it can be drunk or smoked.] . Christo Carifalis, 38, merchant, Bays-, water, pleaded guilty to making a false declaration? relating-to the export of earthenware, in' contravention of the Customs Consolidated Act. ; . . Mr C. E. 'Fitzroy, prosecuting, said that in April last 'year Garifalis, who then lived =at, a -West End" hotel, had premises in _ Gie.yille Street, Holborri, and there Customs officers found bundles of barrel staves and hoops. '.'"'..'■■ These staves were put together, and the barrels lined with tin and filled., with earthenware. On April 25 twenty of these were shipped to Port Said, the accused man making a declaration that the barrels contained earthenware toilet /Sets. worth; £3O. "• • • ' The Egyptian Government were communicated with, and the barrels were examined, \vith the result that it was found that each of the staves had been deeply slotted and that in each slot there was a large piece of hashish cake. "Hashish" for Canaries. In all, there were 456 pieces of this cake-, weighing 2671b, sueh as could be bought in London at the rate-of 9/for soz, but. which realised from 25/to 30/- in Egypt. The importation and sale of the.drug in Egypt was absolutely prohibited by the Egyptian Government. Mr, Fitzroy said he understood that its effect upon the natives was to drive them practically mad. The whole consignment was confiscated, and the importer in Egypt had been fined £1215. When Carifalis's premises were subsequently visited 40, packages of the drug were found, and also the staves of 10 empty casks. The prosecution suggested that the accused man was a member.of a syndicate carrying on this illegal trade, which had been going on for a number of years. Mr 11. Mvers, defending, said no evidence had' been adduced to support the statement that the accused man was a member of any .syndicate. Hashish, known in this country under another immc, was made of hemp seed, the "dangerous" character of which might be judged by the fact that a canary would eat any quantity. There was no question here of defrauding the revemfc. j The full penalty of £100) with three months' imprisonment in 'Jdefaailtf • was imposed. The money was paid.