SMUGGLERS’ FIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1922, Page 1

SMUGGLERS’ FIGHT

PARIS, Dec. 21. The village of La Chapelle, near Sedan, has again been the scene of a | desperate light between smugglers and frontier guards. The Customs officers, having received information that two motor-lorries loaded with tobacco would probably be driven across the frontier near the wooded region round Sedan, sent out a number of armed patrols. Shortly after midnibht two lorries dashed across the frontier toward La Chapelle. The guards shouted to the drivers to stop. The lorries, however, continued at full speed down the hill to the main street of the village. The Customs officers fired at the drivers with revolvers and rifles, but most of the bullets rattled off steel shields, fixed round the drivers’ seats. Finally a lucky shot hit the driver of the first lorry, wounding him severely, while another damaged his steeringgear. The lorry swerved and crashed into a cottage. A man jumped out. and, running along the road, made desperate efforts to climb into the second lorry, which was still going at full speed. He missed his footing and, falling under the wheels of the heavy vehicle, was killed. The Customs officers kept up a heavy fire at the disappearing lorry but were unable to bring it to a stop and had to be content with the one they had captured. It contained more than 3 tons of highly priced tobacco.