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numbers of the covers were very similar to those of a shipment of Persian raw opium, which had passed through Hong Kong a few weeks before under an import authorization issued by neighbouring Government. These two cases showed that the smuggling of Persian raw opium was on a highly organized basis.
a
26. Another case was the seizure of 9,600 taels of Persian raw opium on board the S.S. "Hai Tan". This opium was in the process of being transferred from a cargo boat alongside the S.S. "Hai Tan" when it was challenged by an Indian guard on the ship. Some shots were fired and the second boatswain was shot and killed. The vessel was on the point of leaving for Swatow and Amoy and it is probable that the opium was consigned there with the object of transhipping it to the Straits or Java.
Prepared Opium.
27. Of 19,851 taels of prepared opium seized about three-fifths was Red Lion brand, which in comparison with last year seems to have regained all its lost popularity. In direct contrast this year the seizures of Kwong Chow Wan brand were only 3,371 taels. The largest seizure during the year was on a junk in Aberdeen harbour, where 3,350 taels of Red Lion were seized. The opium was packed in the usual one tael tins, which were enclosed in larger sealed tins, so that if threatened by Revenue launch the consignment could be dumped on the sea-bed, and retrieved under more propitious circumstances.
28. Another seizure occurred on the Norwegian steamer "Marosa", where 2,140 taels were found in the engine room. The smugglers in this case, probably the engine room crew, had dismantled the overhead pipes in the engine room, and stuffed the opium inside. Part of this consignment had been concealed at one time in the fire-extinguishing apparatus, for when this was opened by Revenue Officers it was discovered to be empty. The condition of the packages and tins indicated that the opium had been concealed in the engine room for some weeks. This opium was probably intended for export to Singapore and, although the "Marosa" had just returned from there, it was possible that the crew had been unable to land the consignment owing to the vigilance of the Singapore Customs Officials.
29. Nearly all of the prepared opium was seized under conditions, which pointed to the export trade, and there can be no doubt that its destination was Java, or the Straits, and in some cases America.
30. There was a number of cases of using the mails to transport opium, and the most favoured method was to take a tael or more of specially dried prepared opium, which was carefully wrapped up in a newspaper and posted in the usual way. Canada or Jamaica was the usual destination of these postal packets. Such cases were very difficult to detect, as there was
- E 5 -
numbers of the covers were very similar to those of a shipment of Persian raw opium, which had passed through Hong Kong a few weeks before under an import authorization issued by neighbouring Government. These two cases showed that the smuggling of Persian raw opium was on a highly organized basis.
a
26. Another case was the seizure of 9,600 taels of Persian raw opium on board the S.S. "Hai Tan". This opium was in the process of being transferred from a cargo boat alongside the S.S. "Hai Tan" when it was challenged by an Indian guard on the ship. Some shots were fired and the second boatswain was shot and killed. The vessel was on the point of leaving for Swatow and Amoy and it is probable that the opium was con- signed there with the object of transhipping it to the Straits or Java.
Prepared Opium.
27. Of 19,851 taels of prepared opium seized about three- fifths was Red Lion brand, which in comparison with last year seems to have regained all its lost popularity. In direct contrast this year the seizures of Kwong Chow Wan brand were only 3,371 taels. The largest seizure during the year was on a junk in Aberdeen harbour, where 3,350 taels of Red Lion were seized. The opium was packed in the usual one tael tins, which were enclosed in larger sealed tins, so that if threatened by Revenue launch the consignment could be dumped on the sea-bed, and retrieved under more propitious circumstances.
28. Another seizure occurred on the Norwegian steamer "Marosa", where 2,140 taels were found in the engine room. The smugglers in this case, probably the engine room crew, had dismantled the overhead pipes in the engine room, and stuffed the opium inside. Part of this consignment had been concealed at one time in the fire-extinguishing apparatus, for when this. was opened by Revenue Officers it was discovered to be empty. The condition of the packages and tins indicated that the opium had been concealed in the engine room for some weeks. This opium was probably intended for export to Singapore and, although the "Marosa" had just returned from there, it was possible that the crew had been unable to land the consignment owing to the vigilance of the Singapore Customs Officials.
29. Nearly all of the prepared opium was seized under con- ditions, which pointed to the export trade, and there can be no doubt that its destination was Java, or the Straits, and in some cases America.
30. There was a number of cases of using the mails to transport opium, and the most favoured method was to take a tael or more of specially dried prepared opium, which was care- fully wrapped up in a newspaper and posted in the usual way. Canada or Jamaica was the usual destination of these postal packets. Such cases were very difficult to detect, as there was
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