VAST DRUG TRAFFIC.

Western Star, 23 May 1930, Page 3

VAST DRUG TRAFFIC.

SMUGGLNG OF. OPIUM. SALE AT £SO A POUND. REMARKABLE REVELATIONS. Revelations of the alarming extent of the trade of smuggling opium into were made to a neiwspaper recently by an Anglo-Indian, who has himself illegally brought into England 5001 b of opium, valued at £25,000. For 10 years the smuggler, whose name, of course, cannot be revealed, held a position with the Indian Government,, which gave him contact with" the controlling heads of vast opium trading organisations. Owing to the facilities he possessed and- his personal experience of the manufacture, of opium he was approached by Pathan opium kings, who asked him to undertake the duties'of smuggling carrier. The 'opium kings' paid first-class fares and hotel expenses and sent the man to London. Included in Ins luggage were two brass images in packing cases, and in the base of each image 801 b of opium was concealed. Qn the boat the man made the acquaintance of a wealthy and,influential nawab, and when the boat docked at London, he managed to get the two brass images safely through the Customs by placing them among the Indian official's luggage. • The smuggler then proceeded to an address given to him by his employers, and there he was greeted by a Chinaman, who concealed • his * e . al business.by pretending to trade m carvings. 'When I handed to the Chinaman the packages of opium,' the smuggler related, 'his eyes glittered, and he grabbed the bundles ~ eagerly. Then he smiled rather delightfully and made me very welcome. I wag asked it i cared to partake of some opium, and on my consenting the" Chinaman clapped his hands and two assistants apPC ?o my intense astonishment they drew out from a sunken recess, a tool cupboard, which revealed a passage, nnw down a narrow corridor Halt■ff before a door, the head Chinaman coughed three times, and an opening appeared noiselessly. I was then ushered into a small, low room, very Sprawled uopn divans were seven or eight half-dazed women some ol tnem gorgeously dressed and/gitteMJJ with jewels. At a table in the corner Two well-dressed men were dnntanj whisky. After consuming my opram pm-the size of a Jo retire, and wished them all Goodnight.' I-gave my address to my Chinese host and left. ♦• mT ied 'As 1 turned the comer I was tapped, on the shoulder, and turned round to •see the two men I had observed in the opium den. 'We are chemists, 3d one of them. Have you any opium tn spll ?'. 'No' I replied, 'but I can, brine you some 'in six months' I Z see -them again in the West End ana left C Later the Chinaman gave me'aSue for £SOO, but, remember-, ins the offer of two 'chemists, I decided to enter the smuggling busttiAs* oh mv own account. «3 wa, that ~- tnp gave me a bonus of £IOO for saie o n m myn C e e X t trip I delivered aeonfits on the trade. AU Tf e n r to I LonS Southampton, 4501 b to 5001 b, to the value of £25000 but this has only brought me aL t» novertv I made huge profit°r but Toenail the money Henceforward I intend to lead a safe and quiet ilfc.»