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UNLABELLED NARCOTICS
Of the 19,382 ounces of narcotics seized at the above three ports since our last report, 14,303 ounces were unlabelled as to manufacturer or drug. During the year every narcotic seizure on steamers from Europe was unlabelled, and we have secured convincing evidence that man- ufacturers in a certain country have not used the ports of their own country for their exports, but have transmitted the narcotics to the port of a neighbouring country: therefore, when a seizure takes place in China, the onus of the contraband being unlabelled falls on the port of export. The character, however, of these drugs, methods of packing and spelling of false labels, etc., gives away the country of origin in almost every case.
MISLABELLED NARCOTICS AND SMUGGLING METHODS
Not many striking instances are recorded during 1925: "Calcium Lactate" of which tons are imported for anti-opium pill manufacture, has been the label attached to about 5,000 ounces of narcotics under different consignments.
Tuberkulsin, whatever that may be, was the label of a preparation containing 50% Dionin.
Washing Soda in casks and drums with morphia and heroin en bedded in the contents.
An importation of iron bedsteads with the hollow tubes filled with morphia,
A consignment of watches from Europe turned out to be morphia, and similarly a consignment of gramaphones.
Narcotic drugs have been shipped as glow lamps, salted pickles, cocoa powder, milk food and barrels of salted fish. Bird cages, tea chests and kettles with false bottoms have been used for narcotic stores. We have a sample of an artificial brick in which a tin is embedded. Chinese porcelain and imitation marble ornaments have been found filled and plastered over.
Morphia in soles of Chinese shoes.
Tins of morphia in Chinese casks of oil, or honey.
PROVINCIAL INVESTIGATION DURING 1925-1926 SI ASON
ANHUEI
This province shows marked decline from the repressive measures of 1924.
As the result of intense agitation by the provincial branch of the International Anti-Opium Association and Agricultural and Political Associations, the monopoly established in 1923 which raised $3,000,000 in land, transit, sales and lamps taxes, and encouraged cultivation of poppy in about 1/5th of the province-was gradually closed down. The investigating Commissioners, and members of our Branches who ac- companied the investigation declared in 1924 the uprooting of 80% of the poppy crop in the largest opium district.
1925 has witnessed a marked recrudescence. There is no evidence of a thoroughly organised provincial monopoly as in 1922-3. The farmers have been allowed to follow their inclinations. Invading armics brought in large quantities of opium, and seized large quantities upon retiring.
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Anhuei opium is a good quality and finds a ready market. Central Anhuei. “Opium will yield a big crop this season. There is more planted than has been the case for many years past. These abundant
poppy fields are the key to the opium situation in Shanghai and other places.
Once the opium is harvested no power on earth could keep the willing buyer from the equally willing seller, for opium is an ideal article for smuggling, being of small bulk for comparatively great value fin- ancially. Many of the opium fields are planted with alternate rows of other crops, such as wheat or beans, so that if the law against opium growing should be enforced the farmer could pull up the opium and have another good crop remaining. If the law is not enforced the fine crops of wheat and other food products which are half grown will be pulled up and the opium left to mature. It would require a mere gesture on the part of the local military authorities to set thousands of ready hands to pulling up the poppy crop and so largely climinate the opium evil. would be a comparatively simple matter practically to eliminate the It production of opium all over the country if the military authorities chose to do so, As it is, the use of the drug is advancing by leaps and bounds among all classes from the wealthiest to the poorest." North Anhuri. Terrible recrudescence over the north of the pro- vince. Planting is more extensive than last year. The crop will be poor because of lack of rain. Opium price has doubled since 1924. These northern Asien are probably cultivating as much opium as the worst parts of China. There is a big traffic in cocaine and morphia pills and many of the people have got very wealthy by it. I am convinced that the fact of much opium and silver dollars led a certain General to the hellish work of destroying this city (Pochow) last December. In a recent discussion with a Local magistrate on the subject of poppy cultivation, he replied very significantly, "Orders have been given from above".
Pochow, Meng Cheng, Taiho and Fuyang districts in the north and west of the province are expected to raise $2,000,000 in opium taxes, This is less than in the season 1923-24.
South Anhuri. South of the Great River, there is very little opium growing. Great increase in the number of people smoking it. Six years ago it was rare to see a smoker even amongst coolies. Now it is custom- ary, and half the chair coolies smoke. The sale of opium is forbidden, but everywhere it can be bought, not in open shops but private houses without signboards. Opium dens are numerous, but secret. In contrast however stalls on the streets sell opium lamps and pipes quite openly. Six years ago this would have involved a time in jail.
Opium smoking is common in the cabins and saloons of the Yangtzu River steamers. With such a large proportion of officials addicted, little
can be expected in the way of ending this traffic.
At Tunki in the extreine south is reported general use and local officials obtaining a big revenue from the sale of licences. The military commander is locally known as the "opium devil" and the chief of police was notorious in permitting opium smoking and the usual forms of vice.
The country
East Anhuri. Very little poppy grown in this section.
gets its opium through the opium ring which has its headquarters in Nanking and brings in its opium from Shanghai. Opium can be bought almost anywhere in the district and opium dens do not seem to fear molestation.
There is a renewal of the military monopoly with its headquarters
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