BIG OPIUM HAUL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 13

BIG OPIUM HAUL

LAUNCH CAPTURED AFTER EXCITING CHASE DUEL WITH REVOLVERS A fast motor-boat carrying 6001 b. of opium was captured at night after a dramatic chase by a special police boat in Marseilles Harbour. Marseilles is the largest centre in Europe for smuggled opium Remarkable revelations concerning the traffic, which is entirely in the hands of a mysterious Chinaman known as Le Pere, were published recently. So far the police had failed in their constant efforts to trap the Chinese “drug king” and his agents; but it is believed that their latest coup will lead to important developments in the war against drug smugglers. For several weeks detectives had been watching a mysterious motorboat which occasionally made night trips to various parts of the harbour. They decided to follow her, and the fast police boat Argus was kept in readiness. Duel With Revolvers Then the mysterious motor-boat was 3een leaving the Joliette Dock, and, after stopping for a few minutes near a steamer, continued its course. Detectives who had been watching from the Argus took the same direction. Noticing that they were being followed, the men on the motor-boat increased speed and an exciting race between the two craft followed. At one moment the two boats were but 50 yards from each other. The police fired revolver shots, ordering the fugitives to stop. But the latter, instead of obeying, fired back at the police. Volleys continued to be exchanged, but the fugitives were able to gain speed. At last they ran their boat ashore at a deserted point in one of the old docks, and escaped in the darkness before the police boat reached the spot. In the abandoned motor-boat the police found several parcels containing opium, large quantities of cigars, cigarettes, matches and silk. All the goods, as well as the boat, which bears the name of Wilson, were seized by the police. The owner of the Wilson was questioned by detectives. He said his boat had been hired from him some time ago by a visitor, who used her during the day as a pleasure boat to make excursions; he was not aware that his boat was being used at night for smuggling