CAUGHT RED-HANDED

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2492, 10 January 1922, Page 6

CAUGHT RED-HANDED

opium smuggler's fate :aul off Auckland expeess There was a mild sensation on the lmerston North railway station a irning ori two ago, the upshot of ich was an important seizure by the lice, in the shape of a small but luablfc .consignment of opium, culnating in tho arrest of a middle-aged inaman in whose possession the foriden "poppy juice" was found, st. after the Auckland express had iwn in, two Chinese quitted the train d stepped on to the platform, records

3 Standard. Almost at the same mo%t Detective Culloty and Constable arphy—-both in plain 'clothes —accost - the Orientals and led them into the \tion mailroom.

There .the police officers proceeded to nutely search the clothes and effects the two men. One of the Chinese — jsquat, heavily built, muscular man of e. labouring type —carried a small Istone bag, and he vigorously proed against being submitted ,to • the '.istnity of a search. A jargon of ungly-voieed \ Chinese • and pigeon tglish floated out of the windows of p room and put the knot of bystand-

i on the platform on the qui vive. .0 second Chinaman, who was soberly t expensively attired, and who carid no luggage, maintained a dignified aieanonr throughout the whole operan, and blandly assured the officers his innocence and with perfect outs of any contraband. An Oriental Outburst Presently some choice Anglo-Saxon jletives of Oriental pronounciation rtled. through tho air to the ears of* i curious throng on the platform. At ;. same moment the Chinaman of the bVanJ garb was firmly thrust/ urmitig and swearing, out of the >r on to the platform, with the part: ■ injunction to clear off. This lie did ,u considerable reluctance and bce turning into Main Street —his desation . was apparently Palmcrston rth —harangued the sightseers in his ivo lingo, and then, realising that words were being wasted, he into a stream of wild intivc in the tongue of the country of adoption. This was directed against police, officers, and in loud tones ho oked.tho aid of the Deity in conning them to the nether regions. 3n with one final salvo he pursued uneven tenor of his way in the dition of the Square.

i minute or so later the door was tin opened to permit of the exit of second Chinaman, who gave his ne as Joe Yin, closely shepherded by detective and the constable. All ee made their way to a second-class >king compartment, where ' tho naman—-who it transpired was a ough passenger from Auckland to llington—indicated a small' portnteau; as containing his worldly be-

gings. There the police encountered third Chinaman. Of youthful -apxance, immaculately clad in tan Ox--ds and lavender sox, a perfect fit- » suit of choice grey tweeds cut to

latest design, starched linen and our bat, the latter exuded an air of sperity. Ho also blandly proeb.uiihis innocense, and with perfect gfroid deftly lighted a cork-tipped irotte. An "Innocent" Bundle ust then the station bell indicated irnponding departure of the exL, a*d in order to Carry out the Bj the poHce hustled the suspects platform aad into the port-

ers ' room, taking with them Joe Yin's baggage. His compatriot said that he had no personal effects with him. The door of the porters' room was kept closed throughout the search, which occupied nearly ten minutes. Nothing of any moment was found on the person of either man, but when it came to Joe Yin's bag it was a different story; and although the contraband was cleverly camouflaged in a bundle of soiled linen it did not escape tho keen eyes of the searchers. In all seven tins of first-quality opium, branded with Chinese hieroglyphics, were secured. The. tins resembled in shape and appearance the containers usually used for talcum powder. Also secreted among the linen were pieces of pungent cinnamonwood bark and small bottles and packages of Oriental potions and highly-scented powders. The contents of the bag also included a surprising number of radiant-hued sox. Joe Yin was marched off to the police station, while h.s more fortunate countryman was turned loose and advised to take the next train to Wellington. The latter toyed with his gold-mounted cigarette case for a few moments, all unmindful of the inquisitive gaze of the bystanders, and then wended his way to a comfortable seat on tho platform. The search had disclosed that ho was a recent arrival from Suva, and that he was a through passenger to Dunedin. "Tor Ways that are Dark." Apropos of this seizure it is int./osting to note that the laws against the importation of opium are very stringent, observes tho same journal. The Act states: "It is unlawful to import opium in any form suitable for smoking," and in almost the same breath it says that in certain cases it may be smoked by Chinese. This is seemingly a strange paradox, until further on one encounters another clause which stipulates that it is unlawful to import into New Zealand opium in any form which, though not suitable for smoking, may yet be made suitable unless the importer holds a permit to do so. issued by the Minister for Customs

Despite all these elaborate precautions, illicit opium smoking is carried on throughout the Dominion by persons who undoubtedly do not look to the importers authorised by the Minister for their supplies. Year in and year out a certain quantity of opium must by devious means be smuggled into New Zealand —in what manner the authorities would like to know. It is ah accepted fact that the ramifications of the opium-smugglers —which are centralised in the East —extend all over the world. Much of the contraband deestined for New Zeealuhd is, it is believed, smuggled in to Australia in the first instance and then by hook or by crook sent over to the Dominion. The risks are great, but the profits are greater. The penalty for detectiou is heavy, and the watch kept so keen that of necessity opium-smuggling and smoking have developed into a line art. As an instance of what length some Chinese will go to obtain opium, it has been authoritatively stated that cases have come within the purview of the police where the smoker had distilled morphia in order to get the residue (largely composed of opium) for smoking. Lodinc has also been known to be distilled for the same purpose. Opium at all times is costly, but obtaining supplies by this process is an exceedingly expensive matter. To-day the wholesale price of opium in legitimate trade channels is 20/ an ounce, but the illicit consumer of the noxious weed has to pay many time 3 this ?aluc in order to, gratify his .cravings.