ILLICIT LIQUOR “RACKET” ON LARGE SCALE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1934, Page 15 (Supplement)

ILLICIT LIQUOR “RACKET” ON LARGE SCALE

Further Evidence Of Directing Hand In London

TpURTHER evidence suggestx ing the presence in London of a ‘'master-mind” who directs the illicit manufacture of liquor on a large scale was provided at Thames Police Court recently, when fines totalling £6OO were imposed on three men. They were: Abraham Krevin, a traveller, of Burdett Road, E.— £250 in default three months’ imprisonment for keeping a still .for distilling spirits without being licensed, and deposit- / ■

ing 2.07 proof gallons of spirit with intent “to defraud his Majesty of the duty due thereon.” Abraham Bomzer, Sander Street, E. — £250 in default three months for possessing a still, making wash, and depositing 0.48 proof gallons. Mark Cohen, Harris Buildings, Wicker Street, E — £lOO in default, three months for buying spirits from persons not having authority to sell them, and depositing 1.15 proof gallons. For some months now Scotland Yard and Customs and Excise officials have been inquiring as to the origin of large quantities of illicitly-made liqueurs, spirits, and wines on sale in London. According to the statements made at the hearing of the latest case, the manufacture of liqueurs and wines is in progress on a larger scale than was at first anticipated. Mr Leslie Pocock, for the Customs and Excise, said observations had been kept on Krevin’s premises for. a long period. A barrel was found there .containing about 40. gallons of wash ready to be made into spirits; also one boiler of about 15 gallons capacity, a five-gallon jar containing spirit, a strainer, 15 gallons of spirit, an empty bottle which had contained colouring matter, one packet of labels of a famous brandy and of different kinds of liquors, indicating business on a grand scale. Bomzer had said that he made Krevin’s still, but had done so for no other person. He added that he had made a few bottles on two occasions for his own consumption. Bomzer resides in a tiny room adjoining a synagogue, in which he was occasionally employed as a cleaner. The synagogue is opened once only during the week, and on other days Bomzer, who is a coppersmith, spen'

his time manufacturing the necessary apparatus for stills. The room in which Bomzer made his stills is almost devoid of furniture and is sunk in the ground at the side of the synagogue.

In the case of Abraham Krevin there is also indication that his Use of an illicit still was the result of outside influence from a certain quarter of London where the illicit liquor racket has been

the subject of police inquiries. Krevin told a “Daily Mail” reporter: “I was very anxious to obtain some spirit cheaply to use in massaging my two-year-old baby girl, who is paralysed. “I made inquiries among various acquaintances, and was astonished to find how easily I could obtain the necessary materials for making spirits myself. “The machinery for the still was very cheap. The ingredients necessary for making the spirit was somewhat expensive, but it was comparatively easy to dispose of the bottles of liquor when they were ready. “As a matter of fact I had only made two lots when I was questioned by the police. With regard to the suggestion of a master mind, naturally I cannot make any statement about that. “It would not be unreasonable to suggest that there has been in London, or that there is, a comprehensive organisation concerned with illegally distilled liquor. “But I am not acquainted with any details of such machinations.” -