The San Francisco call., 1910-12-15
OPIUM TRADERS
SMUGGLE DRUG
WORTH $4,000
Federal Officers Search City for
Hiding Place of Poppy
Juice
Fiends Die at Hospital Because
High Price Prohibits
Smoking

Information came TO the United
States customs officials last night mat
more than s25. 900 worth Of opium was
smuggled into san Francisco during the
month Of November The whereabouts
OF this large amount of drug is a mys-
terry which Inspector Watts Of the i'm
migration department together with a
large corps of assistants, attempted TO
solve last night.
Chinatown was searched thoroughly
yes sterday afternoon, but the opium was
not unearthed. The federal officers last
night turned their attention TO the pri-
vate warehouses. and it is possible that
the safety deposit vaults viii be visited
tomorrow. 1t is believed that the sup
ply Of opium now being searched for
was cached by the ring" which has
been broken by the developments in the
gold bullion theft case The federal Off
GERS are Of the opinion that the hidden
opium is a reserve supply and that to
a certain extent the present activity of
the government in seizing the snug
glers' spOils was anticipated by the
smugglers from information which
leaked from government employees
months ago.
CHINATOWN Is SEARCHED
Store keepers. restaurateurs and
cigar manufacturers in Chinatown re-
Ceived visits from the customs officers
yesterday for the purpose Of locating
the contraband drug The activity Of
the customs men in frightening the
opium smugglers and in seizing large
quantities Of the drug, has resulted in
opium being sold at a very high price.
The federal officers learned last Tues
day night that a large consignment Of
opium was safely landed ~ san Fran
cisco during the month of November.
It is believed that this is being held
under cover until the drug becomes so
scarce that a big price win be paid
for the drug
That there is q scarcity of opium, and
that the poorer smokers are unable to
supply themselves, is well known.
During the past week Chinese and
white men addicted TO the habit who
have been compelled 10 deny them
selves the drug on account of it's cost
have been taken to the central emer-
gency hospital for treatment, and sew
eral have died.
Tie federal officials are investigating
the sale OF opium carried on in the
city and county jail The city prison will
also be looked into. for il has long
been suspected that opium was allowed
IN the city prison.
In all probability steps viii also be
taken TO prosecute druggists who vio-
late the state laws by selling opium.
SMUGGLING HEARING POSTPONED
Collector Of the Port r. S Stratton
said yesterday that he would issue to-
day statement relative 10 the recent
attempted smuggling Of Chinese from
the steamship Manchuria. The charac-
ter OF the statement he would not de-
scribe, beyond saying that it would be
broad in its scope.
Collector Sratton held no hearing
yesterday in the investigation owing
10 other business. His deputies ana
agents were busy gathering evidence
rs TO what part employees Of the col
lectOr's Office had in the smuggling
scheme. The hearing viii be resumed
at 1913 o'clock this morning in Col
lector StrattOn's Office, and viii be
continued until responsibility is fixed;
10 10 Is witnesses 10 be examined daily.
The case Of Customs Inspector
F'reund, who admitted having been alb
sent from his post on the Manchuria
when the Chinese escaped. and who is
now under suspension. will not be fin
ally decided until the hearing is ended.