Heroin Pill Divans.
42. The seizures of heroin pills this year increased seven-fold, and although divans did not increase at the same rate, a conservative estimate of their number would be in the neighbourhood of 2,000. The clientele of these places has increased, and it is sad evidence of the universal popularity of the red pill that, in a recent raid on one divan, merchants, bankers, shroffs, clerks, shopkeepers, and students were all found under one roof.
43. The comparative affluence of the furnishings of divans and the intensive catering by the divan keeper for every whim of their clients indicate the tremendous profits that are to be made out of this abominable trade. In one house, the whole of the first floor, at a rent of $63 per month, was occupied for smoking purposes. Five European beds in separate cubicles were found, with an additional two beds in the "teng" or sitting room. In the rear part of the premises, another two beds were found, and the whole place was tastefully decorated. Three waitresses were on duty dispensing tea, cakes, fruit, and cigarettes, in addition to heroin pills. There was an elaborate system of air-alarm bells numbered to correspond with each cubicle, and ash-trays, pipe-cleaners, and matches provided by the house were found in each cubicle. There were more than twenty smokers present at the time of the raid, the majority of whom spoke English.
44. As usual, very few pills were found in divans so as to diminish the consequences of arrest, for as yet the possession of the paraphernalia for smoking, e.g., pipes, lamps, etc., is not contrary to law, although Government is contemplating legislation in this respect along the lines of the Opium Ordinance.
VI. OTHER DANGEROUS DRUGS.
45. Only 1 oz. of morphine and 3 ozs. of cocaine were seized during the year, and there was no evidence of any concerted dealing in these drugs.
VII. REVENUE STATION AT FAN LING.
46. The station continued to justify its existence, and satisfactory results have been obtained during the past year. Although smuggling is still very prevalent along the frontier, the number of seizures and arrests has increased in comparison with last year.
47. A noteworthy feature of the latter part of the year was the decrease in the amount of Chinese opium being smuggled over the Border; the explanation of which has been mentioned elsewhere.