Opium Smuggler Caught

NZ Truth, Issue 1240, 5 September 1929, Page 1

Opium Smuggler Caught

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Wellington Representative). CUSPr/CION counts for a great deal m the bringing to book of wrong* doers, and it was' 1 just that, which landed Charles Dunstan, a steward, m the Wellington Police Court where he was fined £125 and costs for being m possession of prepared opium. Dunstan, who has been 16 years with various shipping companies, left the "Maheno" upon its arrival at Wellington recently, 1 and while he was walking along the wharf, a customs official became suspicious of him and apprehended, him. When searched, Dunstan was found to have secreted opium to the 'totalvalue of £180 about his clothing. That he ( bought the opium for £5 a tin and had been foolish enough to ruin a career for temporary gain, was the excuse placed before mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., by Mr. W. E. Leicester, for Dunstan. The Magistrate pointed but that the Act provided for a heavy penalty and he would have to impose it, and also make an order that the opium be forfeited.