CO129-498-18 Activities of Haji Muhammad Hasan Namazi- connection with the opium traffic 5-5-1926 - 24-12-1926 — Page 34

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Honourable Colonial secretary,

Re Persian Opium.

I forward a report on the examination of documents

and enquiries made concerning the firms wong iling Loong and Yue

Hling Steam Ship Co. of 108 Des Voeux Road Central, the owners of

the wellknown ship 5.5. Philadelphia, which has completed two voyages with Persian opium from Bushire.

The interest lies in the fact that for the first time

I have been able to prove that a cargo of Persian opium was

actually arranged and financed in the Colony.

3.

WAS

Unfortunately I was only able to arrest an employee of

the firm, though I was convinced myself that he was a responsible

man in the firm I was unable to prove it to the satisfaction of

the magistrate, and he/accordingly discharged. The principals

all absconded, and I have been unable to trace them. At least

ten of them actually had lived in Hong Kong, and must be well-

known to many of the Chinese mercantile community. But as usual

I have been unable to obtain any particulars of them. Many of them had places of residence, in addition, outside the Colony,

and went backwards, and forwards, in fact it was this point which would have rendered it very difficult to bring home a charge of dealing in opium to any one of them, it being very

difficult to convince the magistrate that any action in reference

to the pium had been actually performed in the Colony, by any particular person mentioned.

4. I have however reason to believe that the action taken

thoroughly scared a good many of the higher class of Chinese

merchants who were quite partial to takin, a share in an opium gamble.

ad. J.D. Lloyd.

Superintendent of Imports and Exports.

22nd October, 1926.