Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1910-02-18
CHfYO MARU IS
RICH IN OPIUM
CUSTOMS INSPECTORS
MAKE BIG HAUL
Thorough Search Of Oriental Liner
Brings to Light Many Tins Of
the Druo Hidden in Upholstery
Of Ladies' Lounging Room--Re-
cent Seizures.

Of Ladies' Lounging Room-Re.
cent Seizures.
San Francisco Call, Feb. g.
Those women who made use of the
ladies' lounging-room on the Chiyo
Maru on that vessels recently-end-
ed trip from the Orient were not
aware that, hidden within the cush-
ions on which they reclined. and Sc
GREETED behind the walls of the room,
were almost 200 tins of opium,
valued, at most conservative esti-
mate. at $4,000. II was not until a
corps of searchers. headed by Gus
toms Inspector G. j. Benninger,
ripped open the upholstery of the
room yesterday afternoon and tore
down the partition walls of the place
that the valuable character of the
unlisted cargo was discovered.
That yesterdays seizure will be
but the first Of many to be made on
the Chiyo Maru was the expressed
opinion of the men engaged in the
search yesterday. The number of
hiding places found on the Siberia
last month and the total value of tho
drug which was finally discovered is
pointed out as an example OF what
may be expected during the latest
search. On the Siberia opium was
discovered In the life preservers, wa
ter coolers, within the plano in the
ladies' cabin, secreted in the toes OF
rubber boots in the fcrecastle OF the
vessel and in hollowed-out places in
the spare masts. Today syste-
matte search will be made OF every
hole and corner on the Chiyo Maru,
and the inspectors are confident that
before 1t Is ended the total value OF
the opium found will exceed that OF
the drug located on the Siberia.
Price Of Opium Rising.
The hop fiends OF C6inatown--and
those who indulge in the drug in
the many Joints" outside of the ORR
ental quarter-are getting desperate
at the lack Of the means to indulge
In their vice. and the price OF the
drug is steadily mounting every day.
The tremendous profit which is to
be made out OF the drug when It Is
once safely landed here is what
causes such frantic attempts tc
smuggle II in, as was discovered yes.
terday by the government agents.
A tin OF opium can be purchased
In the Orient for about 81, but b,
the time It gets here its value ha,
lenhanced several fold. A month agt
the market value here OF the tin
purchased In China for - was from
$40 to $25. With the number Of
seizures which have taken place re
Gently and the consequent loss L
the smugglers OF the expscted prof
Its. the value OF tin was set yes
terday ut from s35 to $50, and ever
In excess OF this. should there b,
much difficulty in disposing OF 1t
For this reason the smugglers car
AFFORD to have nine-tenths of theil
cargo seized and still make sufIicien
profit on the balance, II II Is onl!
landed safely. to well repaysthem fo
their trouble and danger.
Seizures Will Be DESTROYED.
The opium seized yesterday wa,
taken to the government stores
where 1t will be kept until ipstruc
lions are received from, Washington
to destroy 1t. II will not be soid
because of the law which prohibit
Its sale In this country. but will b,
destroyed by acids as soon as the In
structions are received.
There was a rumor around tn,
Mail dock that Chick" Wallace, tn,
alleged head of the opium ring OF
the Pacific Coast, was an intereste,
spectator of the seizure on the Chiy
Maru yesterday. There was maj
, laround the dock who. upon beinl
questioned by the customs officials
said his name was Wallace, but h
, was not identified as the allege
!. head Of the smugglers' combine
!. Wallace is said to be here from Lo
5 Angeles. and to have found hidin
place In Chinatown, from whence h
is reported to direct the operation
of the gang.
|. Recent Seizures on China Liners.
January 13-Opium to the vaiu
of 10000 Is found in various part
lof the steamer Siberia.
January 14--More opium IL dis
covered on Siberia in water coolers
life preservers and In the piano I
THE ladies' cabin. Value Of thl
days haul. over $1,000.
January 17-Inspectors hnd
tins OF the drug In hollow posts o
the Siberia.
January 1S-More OF the drug di'
y covered In rubber boots in forecast
lof the Siberia.
February Cams OF opium to tn
number of 1s5 are found hidden 1
1.-THE cushions and walls Of the ladie
lounging-room on the Chiyo Maru.