Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-30
OPIUM WORTH
$4,000 SEIZED;
TWO ARRESTED
SMUGGLING is CHARGE MEN
WILL FACE
CHASE FROM MEXICO, THROUGH
DESERT, ENDS HERE
T. J. Murphy and M. L. Harris Appre-
hended by Custom Officers, and
Damaging Evidence Is Sc
cured at Same Time

Onium valued at approximately $4,000
was seized and T. j. Murphy and M. L.
Harris were arrested yesterday by
limited States customs officials and
placed in the county Jail on charge OF
smuggling. The arrest was first made
on a Southern Pacific train en- route
from Yuma to Los Angeles, just after
Cotton had been passed. Later the ar
rest was clinched when the two al
legged smugglerS were taken before the
United States marshal and held Dy
United states Commissioner Van Dyke
in bail of $4,000.
The seizure of opium is the largest
ever made In Les Angeles The two
men are said to be members of a gang
of opium smugglers whoh vac operated
extensively along the border, supplying
The chinese colonies in coast cities, es-
pecially Los Angeles, Oakland and san
Francisco. The arrest and SEIZURE were
the result of a chase which began near
ly two weeks ago at Guaymas, Mexico
led through Nogales, Arlz'' INTO anu
through half dozen smaller places IN
Arizona, and finally settled down TO
train-ride chase across the desert. 10
w A. Brazie, immigration inspector at
Sogales, and NJ. o. Archibald, customs
officer at Yuma, the credit for the I'M
portant capture is due, for 1t was these
two men who have followed the clews
which resulted in the captures
Female Dlsguises Used
Female disguises were used by Muir
pl,v and Harris, it is said, in order TO
get the opium across the border In
the effects of the two were found wom-
ems dresses and wigs, together with a
complete makeup outfit similar to that
used by actresses.
Nearly two months ago Information
was received by customs officers that
opillm was being smuggled across the
international border A careful watch
was set and for weeks no definite clews
were received. Secret information was
sent to the officers that a cargo OF
opium had been received at Guyamas,
Mexico After that it was clear case
of following the opium until it reached
the hands of individuals.
Friday night Murphy and Harris
boarded a train at Yuma, bound Tor
Los Angeles. Archibald and Brazie got
on the train at the same time. The
two suspects occupied a drawing room.
Their tickets read to San Francisco.
When Cotton was reached yesterday
morning the officers called upon the
train officials to open the drawing
room. The two suspects had just eaten
breakfast and were taken completely
off their guard.
Find Tins of Opium
In the room were two suit cases
crammed full of tins of opium. Several
revolvers of the most modern and dan
gerous type were also found in the
suit cases. In the baggage car were
two trunks, also loaded with opium
tins, women's dresses, wigs and Q
makeup box.
According TO Officer Archibald, both
the prisoners protested their innocence
until discovery of the opium was made.
Then, it is alleged, an offer of $500
cash was made to the officers if they
would allow the prisoners their free
dom.
The trunks had been checked through
to the north, one billed to Oakland and
the other to San Francisco. Trunks
and suit cases were taken TO the Gus
tom house in the Pacific Electric build
ing, where they are now held.
A third man, said to be deputy sheriff
in Texas. is also implicated in the al
legged smuggling. He is being traced re-
lentlessly and may be placed under ar
rest at any moment Others in the
gang are under surveillance, and will
be arrested if circumstances warrant.
Several of the suspects are in Los An
geles, it is said. Customs Officer Pen
dleton and his forces are working on
the cases.
From the Arcade station, Murphy
and Harris handcuffed together were
taken to the United States marshaFs
office in the Tajo building. After
few formalities were gone through
with, United States Deputy Marshals
Sittle and Quinn, who made the second
arrests on the warrants charging SNUG
Cling, started to take the prisoners to
Jail. A mild attempt at escape was
made just as the elevator was entered.
Kicks Camera to Pieces
One newspaper photographer regrets
the arrest to the extent of more than
$780, for he has ruined reflex camera
as a result. He had attempted to take
a photograph of the two prisoners,
who had warned him not to do so. As
he leveled his camera at them, Muir
ply with a sudden jerk, broke away
from the officers, and kicked the
camera squarely. It flew into a corner,
with Murphy dragging his shackled
fellow prisoner after 1t. Again and
again Murphy kicked the camera, re-
ducing it to kindling wood and bits of
glass.
Both prisoners were brought into
submission by the quick action of the
deputy marshals, who feared the cam
era episode was but a ruse to escape.
Murphy and r lrris, unable to give the
$4,000 bond required, were placed in
close confinement in the county jail.
They will be given a preliminary hear
ing next Saturday. The penalty for
smuggling opium Is fine of not more
than $4,000 or two years in prison or
both.