OPIUM SMUGGLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18786, 21 May 1923, Page 3

OPIUM SMUGGLING

INDIANS FINED £2lO. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 13. Fines totalling £2lO were imposed at the Police Court on two of three Indians who were charged with various offences under the Customs Act and Opium Act. Ranjan Mewa was charged with unlawfully having opium suitable for smoking in his possession, also with having an unlawful import, to wit, opium, in his possession, and having unlawfully exported opium. Daya Bhana and Dhidia Manga were each charged with the two first mentioned offences. Collector of Customs Riding* stated that Mcwa obtained about half a pound of opium from some of his countrymen, giving it to a steward on the Tofua to take to someone in Samoa. He did not tell the steward what the parcel contained. Th? opium was discovered in the possession of tho steward at Samoa, and he was fined £4O. As regards the other charges, Mr Ridings said Customs officers discovered the opium in premises in Ponsonby Road. The Magistrate gave Manga the benefit of the doubt, and the charges against him were dismissed. For having a prohibited import in his possession, Chana and Mewa were each fined the maximum, £lOO. For hav ing exported opium, Mewa was fined £lO, all with costs. The other charges were withdrawn. Replying to counsel, the Magistrate said he would not recommend the Minister to reduce the fines, but application could be made by the parties concerned.