The San Francisco call., 1903-12-04
Opium GANG
DISCOVERED
IN 4 PRISON
San Quentin Officials
Uncover Smugglers'
Plans.
Three Convicts Arrested to
Be Tried on Felony
Charges.
Warden of the Institution Works
Vigorously to Break Up the Traf-
fc and Meets With Early
Success.
Special Dispatch to IN. CAN.

SAN RAFAEL, Dec. s.-The opium
industry which has fourished in San
Quentin prison for the past several
months is about TO be materially cur
tailed, if not absolutely abolished
Through the untiring efforts of War
den Tompkins, Captain Russell and
some of the others, the ring leaders of
a gang which has been carrying on
the business have been found out. AS
result, this afternoon three of the
men were arrested and will be tried
on felony charges.
The three who must stand trial are
Aloysius Hernandez, r. NJ. Gonzales
and Manuel Baconora, three Mexicans
The real arch conspirator of the gang
is Jack Ortega, the prize fighter, who
is doing a life term in prison. Ortega,
however, owing to his having TO wear
prison garb for life, will not be tried.
yet he will in no way be exempt from
punishment He is at present in a
dungeon and will most probably be
sentenced TO remain the balance Of his
days in incorrigible cells.
dope" IN THE CELLS.
Quentin for many years and only a
short time ago a large quantity was
confiscated. Yesterday, however, it
was discovered that over fifty ounces
had been smuggled inside the walls
within the past few weeks From a
rigid examination by Warden Tomp-
kins and the far-reaching investigation
of Captain Russell five inmates were
suspected. Through facts thus CLEANED
Captain Harrison of the yard was en-
abled to locate some OF the dope" in
the cell of Hernandez. Warden Tomp-
kins then took up the matter person.
ally and not only obtained the opium
but discovered a large knife secreted
in Hernandez's mattress.
BY this damaging evidence and bv
other means Hernandez was made to
confess. He told how much opium had
been distributed. where it had been OBJ
tained and all other minor details of
the crime. Hernandez would not
peach" on his confederates, yet the
following facts have come to light:
Hernandez. Gonzales and Baconora be-
long to the road gang of convicts who
are engaged in building a road near
Greenbrae. About two weeks ago.
while the gang of twenty were at din
ner, Baconora found under the table
box containing five two-ounce tobacco
sacks. He told Hernandez Of the find.
but Hernandez told him to keep still
Later he made compact whereby Ba-
conora was TO hide two sacks, Gonzales
two sacks and he (Hernandez) one
The sacks were hidden in their shirts
until they passed search guards" at
the prison gates.
SALE OF THE DRUG.
When once inside the walls. Her
nandez reclaimed the five sacks. re-
warding his helpers by giving them
twenty-five sacks of tobacco for their
trouble. Hernandez kept one sack and
sold the balance to Ortega. Ortega did
the distributing. He so Thoroughly
eluded detection that he got rid of all
four sacks and no trace of it has as
yet been discovered. Hernandez was
not so fortunate. He was found out
before he sold any of his share of the
dope. Warden. Tompkins. in speaking
of the affair tonight, said:
Il, of course, have been aware that
opium was getting inside the prison.
l don't blame the fellows from receiving
1t once 1t was in, but what / wanted
to find out was where it came from and
who was doing the outside work 1 be-
Iieve 1 now have the right cfew and
will salt some people pretty soon for
their work.
II will try to convict the three. The
opium has been planted for some time.
Ortega knew where it was and told
Hernandez to get it. Hernandez was
dilatory. as facts show, and Ortega i'm
pressed him with the idea of getting it
quickly. The three Mexicans are
short termers Ortega is here for life,
so we cannot increase his term of servi-
tude, but believe l can make him re-
frafn from further infringement of
prison rules. During his work on the
road Hernandez found the dope and
placed it under the table. 1 don't be-
Iieye Baconora knew of it until he dis
covered IL when at table