Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-19
SMUGGLING GANG CAUGHT :?
CUSTOMS OFFICERS CAPTURE
"Low, LONG, RAK1sH CRAFT"
Arrest Men on Charge Of Landing
Tobacco Without Paying Tariff
Duties-Happened at Hoboken.

NEW YORK, August 19.-With the ar
rest yesterday afternoon in Hoboken of
Michael Bunzelman, twenty-six years old.
and the seizure by Special Treasury
Agents Isaac Wilson and William j. York
of long, gray, clinker-built engine-driv-
en- yawl boat. the United States revenue
authorities believe that they have at last
uncovered gigantic smuggling gang. the
members of which in the last few years
have smuggled thousands of dollars worth
of costly Sumatra leaf tobacco from the
German steamships at HobOken to South
Brooklyn. where it was disposed of.
For more than a year the government
has had a number of its best secret
service men at work trying to run down
the ringleaders OF the gang and break up
the operations which have cost the
United States a small fortune. After
months of work it was discovered that
the smugglers had. regular organization,
Of which a man named Bunzelman was
said to be the king. The man arrested
yesterday, according to United States
whom he was arraigned, is the son of the
ringleader.
Smugglers' Ways.
The method of operations for long
time escaped the vigilance Of Agents VIII
son and York, who had charge of the
government forces. The launch in which
the tobacco was taken away is painted a
dull gray color. not easily discernible at
night. The craft bore no name, bell, horn
or sidelights. and there was nothing on
her to indicate to whom she belonged.
Equipped with a gasoline engine and with
the exhaust well muf1ed. the launch would
steal alongside the Hamburg steamers
| rn0nroA n the HnhAkon docks and at a
signal from above. stop while the bundles
of tobacco were lowered cautiously down.
The craft, which was operated by one
man, would then slip over to Brooklyn
and deliver the contraband to Oonsplrators
waiting to receive 1t.
The launch was stripped of every pos
sible means of Identification. and was
concealed SO cleverly during the day that
continued search Of the harbOr by the
government agents failed to reveal it un-
til yesterday, when through some reck-
lessness 1t was left at an exposed mooring
near one of the Hoboken slips. Secret
service agents first got trace of the SNUG
glers craft June 8, when 800 pounds OF
the Sumatra leaf tobacco were left at the
pier at the foot Of seth street, in Brook
Ign. Before the detectives could seize the
boat she slipped away quietly in the dark
ness. The tobacco. however, was seized
and two men arrested.
Officers Get Tip.
The government authorities were in
formed that a large quantity of tobacco
was to have been smuggled over to Brook
Ign last night. and Agents Wilson and
York went over to Hoboken. where they
found the launch and placed Bunzelman
under arrest. The latter was taken before
United States Commissioner Russ and
held for hearing. He was locked up in
the Essex county Jail.
Commissioner Russ said last night that
the government authorities had ample
evidence to show that the prisoners IA
Their was the so-called king" of the
| smugglers' gang, and that operations had
been going on for years. The capture he
added. was one Of the most important in
many months.
The craft in which the smuggling is said
to have been done was brought over to
the boarding Office cutter slip at the Bat
terry late yesterday afternoon, where
Waterman was placed in charge of her.