OPIUM SMUGGLERS CAPTURED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2560, 7 September 1915, Page 6

OPIUM SMUGGLERS CAPTURED

1 : CUSTOMS OFFICIAL'S GOOD HAUL. ■ While on duty on Wellington wharves last evening, Mr. A. W. Jackson, Customs officer,'- made-ti particularly smart capture of three opium smugglers. The A. and' A.. Line's chartered steamer Batsford had arrived at the Tarariaki Street Wharf shortly; before 6 p.m. from New York, via Panama Canal and Auckland. She lias a- Chineso crew on beard, and consequently a sharp-look-out was kept for opium smugglers'. At about 10 . p.m. Mr. Jackson observed two innocent-looking celestials making for the shore. Their 'clothes- appeared , to have something else than bodies underneath them; and the Customs officer mado investigations. Tho resmlt was that ; he found five ,tins of opium on each man.. Seeing that "the game was up' 1 the -two Chinese madd a break to : get away,. - They were . unsuccessful, however, and a little while later they found themselves in the police station sadder but wiser men. •' Returning to the - Batsford; later on, Mr. Jackson saw 'another Chinese,■ who was walking up the wharf looking suspiciously about him. Scenting more opium. tSe alert Customs officer immediately pounced on his m-an from, a dark- corner, and. found a dozen tins of the "dream mixture" hidden away in various parts of his clothing.' Ho,, too; was escorted to the police-station.