IMPORTATION OF OPIUM

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1932, Page 9

IMPORTATION OF OPIUM

SHIP’S TRIMMER FINED £125 SUSPICIONS OF THE CUSTOMS, IMPRISONMENT THE ALTERNATIVE. By Telegraph.—Press Aesticiation. Wellington, Last Night. Daniel Kearney, a trimmer on the Zeala/idia, was convicted to-day of importing opium into the Dominion. Before Mr, E. Page, SM, passed sentence the Collector of Customs, Mr. Paul, said the department had good, reason to suppose that the crews of various intercolonial steamers were running opium. It was very much feared that single tin of opium, valued at £2O to £25, found in Kearney’s possession was not tho only one brought by the Zealandia on its last trip. Evidence was given that Kearney, when asked what the bulge under his coat was, said it was half a pound tin of tobacco. The inspector on. seeing the tin eaid it looked more like opium, and went to take the accused to the boarding inspector’s office. Kearney ran off but was chased and taken into custody, Kearney pleaded not guilty but failed, tho magistrate said, “To discharge the onus placed upon him by the section, under which he. was charged, and he would therefore have to be convicted. The legislature evidently regards the offence as a very serious one, for it fixes .a minimum of £125. I propose to inflict that penalty, . In default, of payment there will be six months’ imprisonment.”