AN OPIUM “RUNNER”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 6

AN OPIUM “RUNNER”

FOREIGNER FINED £45.

A foreigner named Rudolph Finderup, a. waterside worker, for whom Air. HF O’Leary appeared, pleaded guutj’ ln the MagisFrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr. F K. Hunt, S.M., +o having m his possession three tins of opium in a form suitable for smoking. Mr P. S. K. Alacassey, who appeared, for the Customs Department, stated that the information had been laid under section 223 of the Customs Act, which provided for a maximum pena’teof (TOO On Alav 11. a Customs official, accompanied by a constable, visited the house of a Chinaman in Earning Street, and there discovered the defendant who was apparently fixing to dispow of three tins of opium. Accused had been zworking on the Aloeraki on the day ip quesfion He declined to civc.any infermotion as to how aud where lie'got the opium, and when he was arrested -139 was found upon him. On behalf of the accused Mr. O Leary said that Finderup was a married man with a familv, and for some time past had keen saving for the purpose of purchasing a home. The money found on. him represented his savings. Accused bad evident]v been acting for somebody else in tho sate of the opium, and did not reap the. /whole benefit of the profits. Th<» Magistrate: H'* was a "rrtnner. Continuing. Air. O’Leary said that accused had been in AVel’.ington for about six years working on the wharf under «. permit, he being an alien. That permit had Wen cancelled, and therefore h* would be unable to work on the wharf in future. In reply to tha Alagistrate Air. 51 aeassev said that the three tins of opium were worth £l5 each. Finderup was fined £45.