OPIUM SEIZED

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1932, Page 6

OPIUM SEIZED

ARREST OF A CHINAMAN

AUCKLAND, December 6

A quantity.of prepared opium ready fb? TsJnoking, neatly wrapped in small paper packets, was seized by a party of police to-night when they arrested a Chinese in Grey’s evenue and later search the shop where he had been living. The Chinese will he charged in the Police Court with importing opium and with being found in possession of prepared opium.

The police party went to Grey’s avenue iJflortly after 8.30 p.m. Not long after they had been in the locality they saw the accused, who was kept under careful observation. He was seen to enter a shop occupied by a number of Chinese, and the police waited near the door for liis return. After a period of ten minutes the Chinese emerged and was immediately acccsted. He was then arrested and taken to the city Police Station, where ■a search revealed a number of packets of opium. The party then returned to the shop with the Chinese and made a thorough search of the premises,' occupying over an hour. In the basement at the rear of the shop a tobacco tin containing more packets of <;>pium was discovered concealed behind a loose brick in the wall. The search was then abandoned, the: opium being seized and removed to the police station. The total found was 21 packets, each of which was valued at about 7s fid, and contaied sufficient opium for four or five pipes. •After the accused had been takers to the police station a second time a number of other Chinese gather'd and offered to provide bail, but. this was not granted, accused being held in custody.