The morning call., 1892-05-22
AN OPIUM SEIZURE.
A Valuable Haul Made on Board
the Umatilla.
The Port Surveyors Officers Organize a Raid
With Successful Rasults-The Expedition
Of the Steam Yacht Tia Juana.

4 Skillful and important seizure Of opium
was made yesterday by officers from Port
Surveyor Paris Kilburn'S office. Captain
E. A. Holmes, an Inspector of Customs con-
nected with that department of the customs
service, captured 500 tins OF the manu-
featured product, and Inspector George E.
Ryan 40 tins The opium was smuggied to
this port on board the steamer Umatilla,
which arrived from Port Townsend and
Victoria, B. c., Friday night, as reported
exclusively in The CALL yesterday morn
ing. The market value of the seizure is
about S34O0. After its sale about SO per
cent of its value. less expenses, will go to
the officers as a reward for their vigilance.
STORY OF THE CAPTURE.
The circumstances of the capture are in
teresting. Information from Port Town
send having reached the customs authuri-
ties in this city that there was a prospect Of
making haul on board the Umatlla, an
expedition was fitted out to meet her upon
her arrival In the harbor The raiding party
as organized was placed under charge of
Captain Holmes. The little steam yacht
Tia JuaBa was engaged for the enterprise.
1t leis the barge Office shortly before
o'clock Friday afternoon, and headed for
the Golden Gate. On board with Captain
Holmes were: District Inspector Childs,
Boarding Officer Hooker, Assistant Board
ing Officer Casey and five searchers.
THE UMATILLA SIGHTED.
About three miles this side of Point Reyes
the UmatilIa was sighted. 1t was dark by
the time the little yacht approached near
enough to put out a signal. Being without
any rockets, Captain Holmes improvised
torch by taking a stick and wrapping a
gunny-sack about one end. This he sat-
urated with kerosene and lighted. at the
same time hailing the Umatlla. The cap
tam of the steamer, suppOsing the party to
be In distress, stopped his engines and very
soon the Tia Juana was alongside. 1t was then
about :45 o'clock. Over the sides climbed
the boarding party. The captain was some
what surprised when he learned that the
strangers were a number OF Custom-houSe
officers out on an opium raid.
BOARDING THE UMATILLA.
The boarding party had previously been
assigned to their respective posts and di-
rected what to do. They were equipped
with probes and bullseye lanterns and each
man wore his overalls. Two of the men
were sent forward and three to the engine
room and coalbunkers. Others were left in
positions guarding the sides to see that no
attempt was made TO throw anything over
board. Though the searchers used their
probes freely in the coalbunkers and exam
ined every part of the ship they found
nothing. The Umatllla came to her dock
ABOUT HluulButs Wueu Tie search was us
continued.
CAPTAIN HOLMES FIND.
At daylight the search was renewed,
Captain Holmes took charge of the exam
ination of the baggage. of which every piece
is sealed by the inspectors of Customs at
Port Townsend. About two-thrds of the
baggage had been delivered when Captain
Holmes came upon a new trunk bound with
a heavy leather strap. Upon shaking it
we'll he became satisfied 1t was filed with
contraband stuff, for he heard sinister
rafting Of cans. He sent for a l0cksmth,
but did not wait for the arrival of the
artist. A hatchet being found at hand he
used it in breaking off the lock.
HOW TIE OPIUM WAS PACKED.
In the trunk were found 80 tins of Lai
Yuen opium, which is the best brand OF
opium shipped from China. The tins were
packed IN shavings, in clusters Of tve-tael
boxes. He soon afterward discovered
similar trunk, which. upon being broken
open, was found 10 contain like amount of
the drug.
The owner Of the smuggled opium gave
the name of j. Tucker at the time he passed
two baggage checks TO the transfer COM