Police Disguised.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 521, 2 August 1932, Page 6

Police Disguised.

“ Fresh from Swamp”

Sly-Grog Raid on Shop in Auckland. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 2. J>OLICE, disguised as relief workers, assisted in the detection of sly-grog sales in the Eden no-license area. This fact v was disclosed when charges were preferred against William Ilesketh, a fruiterer, of Dominion Road, of failing to make a statement before taking liquor into the no-license district of Eden, keeping liquor for sale without a license, and selling liquor in a no-license area. “In spite of the number of bottles found,’' said counsel for the defence, “my client’s sales have not been substantial. The success of the raid reflects ability on the ingenuity of the police, and on their histrionic ability. They came arrayed as relief workers, fresh from ’ a swamp, with muddy clothes, and told a ‘ hard-luck ’ story. They also tried to get the accused to lay in a quantity of liquor for the day on which the raid was made. He refused', however, and the quantity found was not considerable.” “ Just Come from a Funeral.” “At the time of the raid, a man was found on the premises having a glass of whisky,”. remarked Detective-Sergeant Kelly. “He said he had just come from a funeral, and was cold.” Detective-Sergeant Kelly added that following complaints that Ilesketh was operating a “ sly-grog ” shop, a constable went to his shop and bought two bottles of “ home brew ” at 6d a bottle. The premises were searched on June 18, when twelve bottles of “ home brew,” thirty-four bottles of ale and a number of empty bottles, were found. Between December 4 and June 17 accused had received thirty-six and a half dozen bottles of beer and stout and four bottles of wine from one Arm. and between December 12 and June 4 he had received twenty six dozen bottles of stout and five bottles of whisky from another firm. He did his own carrying, and as he gave his address as the City Markets, the firms were not aware he was taking the liquor into a no-license district. On the charge of selling liquor in a nolicense area, the accused was fined £25. He was convicted and fined £2 for failing to make a statement.