OPIUM SMUGGLING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 9

OPIUM SMUGGLING

SEAMAN FINED .£25. Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 28. William Miles, a seaman off the Niagara, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning charged with unlawfully importing prepared opium. Mr. A. V. Penn, Collector of Customs, who prosecuted, stated that this morning Detective O’Sullivan arrested Allies, who was in possession of two tins of prepared opium worth .£9 15s. for each tin. Atiles obtained the "black smoke” from Sydney Chinese, hoping that he would sell it in Auckland at a profit. Mr. Penn drew the Magistrate’s attention to the new Act, which puts the maximum penalty at a fine of MISOO, in default twelve mouths’ imprisonment, or a fine of .£5OO together with one year’s imprisonment. The minimum fine was ,£125. Chief Detective Hammond said that a few weeks ago in a similar case concerning a seaman off the UHinaroa, who smuggled opium into Auckland, Mr. Hunt imposed a fine of .£5O. “But that was a mistake,” said Mr. Penn. “This is the first time I’ve dealt with opium,” said Miles. "That’s why I was caught so easily. I heard a lot about this stuff and big money that cc’ild be made, so I thought I might make a few shillings out of it. I got it in Sydney and took it to Vancouver, but could not sell it. so I brought it here, and was caught trying to get rid of if to-day. I am a married man with two children in Sydney, and ! am not connected with any opium ring.” “It would be absurd to fine this man ,£125,” said Air. Hunt, "and I don’t want to send him to gaol. I want him to leave on his ship to-day" "it is bad luck that he was caught the first time, still the traffic in opium has been fairly considerable lately,” remarked Mr. Hammond. Mr. Penn added that flic Union Company would discharge Miles when he got to Sydney. Thev would not keep a man on who smuggled opium. "I don’t think T’ll look at that statute of yours; Mr. Penn.” said Air. Hunt, wiio then fined Miles .£25.