260
REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94.
and Superintendent of the Preventive Service, Rangoon, an officer of long experience in the
department, on the results, from a customs point of view, on the prohibition of ganja in this
province.
The note appears to me to prove that there is a large demand in Burma for ganja; the
people will try to obtain it, and that the statistics of seizures by custom-house officers indicate
that determined efforts are made by smugglers to import ganja.
No. 1322—37-93 (Excise), dated 19th December 1893.
From—The Commissioner, Arrakan Division,
To—The Financial Commissioner, Burma.
I have the honour to submit a copy of my replies to the questions asked by the Hemp
Commission.
With reference to paragraph 2 of your No. 335—116-E., dated 11th November, I do not
think there is any necessity for altering the system of prohibition in force in Burma: except in
the Akyab district, which borders on Chittagong, the drug is not much used.
I append a statement showing the number of ganja cases reported and brought to trial
with the total amount of ganja seized, since the special excise establishment sanctioned in your
No. 282—23-E., dated 10th February 1891, was introduced.
These figures have been supplied by the Inspector of Excise.
Statement showing the number of ganja cases reported and brought to trial and quantity of ganja
seized by the special Excise Department, Akyab, since April 24th, 1891.
Year.
Number
Number
Quantity of
Year.
of cases
of cases
ganja
Remarks.
Year.
reported.
convicted.
confiscated.
Tolas.
1891-92
31
26
2671/3
1892-93
27
18
2605/16
1893-94
17
11
171
From 1st April to
30th
November
1893.
TOTAL
75
55
69818/16
No. 97—120, dated the 12th January 1894.
From—The Deputy Commissioner, Toungoo,
To—The Assistant Secretary to the Financial Commissioner, Burma.
With reference to your No. 318—11-E., dated 11th instant, and annexures, I have the
honour to forward one copy of the questions of the Hemp Drugs Commission, together with
my answers to some of the same.
2. With reference to the last paragraph of your letter No. 335—116-E., dated 11th Nov-
ember 1893, I have the honour to state that in my opinion the system of prohibiting ganja
in Burma has been to a very large extent, though not entirely, successful. I base this opinion
on my experience as a Magistrate. I regret that I cannot give the actual number of cases
brought before me in which the possession of ganja was involved, but they were not sufficiently
numerous to accuse the prohibitory system of failure, though quite enough to prove that a de-
mand for the drug does exist, which has to be met by smuggling.
No. 232—14-E., dated the 16th January 1894.
From—The Commissioner, Southern Division,
To—The Financial Commissioner, Burma.
With reference to paragraph 2 of your letter, Financial Department, No. 335—116-E.,
dated 11th November 1893, I have the honour to report that, as far as my experience goes,
the system of prohibition of ganja has worked well. This is based on my experience in differ-
ent places. It is very possible, however, that the large influx of natives in the Military Police,
etc., within the past few years may cause an increase in the consumption, but I think the exist-
ing Excise and Police Departments can cope with it.