SMUGGLERS OF TO-DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1923, Page 3

SMUGGLERS OF TO-DAY

RUNNING WHISKY INTO U.S MONTREAL, May 11

Two hundred thousand cases of whisky were landed in New York by one Newfoundland smuggling vessel last year, according to a statement made to me by Captain White } the skipper of the ship. ■‘ls there anything in these stories of enormous profits made by liquor smugglers?” 1 asked. “Last year.” said Captain White. ■*uu made four trips between Scotland and St. Pierre, and on each voyage carried hack .10.000 eases of choice whisky. Not earing to risk capture with that' quantity of wet goods aboard, we called tit the French Colony where we discharged -10.000 cases and t|hon continued on to New \ork, where we stood off the coast and transferred our cargo to high-powered motor boats and lighters. Having got rid of our supply we beat it back to St Pierre for another 10.000 eases, and continued this routine during the

souson. ‘•We bought the liquor in Scotland for £2 Is a ease, and sold it for £'lo a ease. “We have a list which tells us there are 6.000 saloons doing business in New York and twice that many bootleggers. The saloons are running wide open and business is more lucrative than in pre-prohibition days. The price of liquor to the consumer has jumped from r.OO to I.OCO per cent., while the dispenser escapes till the old excise taxes, compulsory sanitary expenses, and the like. •'One result of the new law is that the favourite American rye and Bourbon whiskies have given place to Scotch which finds its way into the city in an ever-increasing flood, and retails at 21 jihxssv’ SMUGGLERS’ METHODS.

Captain White, outlining the methods by which smugglers defeat the British Customs regulations, said: “‘A vessel clears front St I’ierre for the Bahamas or some West India port close to the American coast. Striking in off the Long Island shore, she loals leisurely along and is hoarded by boats from shore, which take off her cargo, unseen, of course, all the while being protected from seizure on the high sets by her clearance papers.

“To satisiv the I reach or British authorities that her voyage was legitimate. she really goes to the port for which she cleared, loads another cargo there, clears for St Pierre, and repeats tlu> performance, coming up the coast. The game works both ways, both voyages being profitable for the owners and all concerned. Arriving at St. Pierre another cargo is loaded, and so oil. Can you Iwat it r"