The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-22
|CONF|sCATE DOPE
/ ENOUGH FOR ARMY
DETECTIVES SEIZE TRUNK CON-
TANNING SIXTY OUNCES IN
RAILWAY STATION.
GAME" is FLUSHED
ARRESTS MADE LAST SPRING, BIT
DRUss HAD NOT THEN AR
RIVED AND COULD NOT
BE FOUND.
GAME" is FLUSHED

After it had sremained unclaimed
for several months in the baggage
room of the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway company, trunk contain
ing what appears to be sixty ounces
of cocaine was confiscsted yesterday
by the police ON a search warran
sworn out and served by Sergeant
G.. A. sherry and Policeman Campo
ssionico, and now reposes in the Office
Sof Major Werner, where Ii never will
be claimed.
Sergeant Sherry learned yesterday
morning. through Campadontco
Of the presence in the bag
trunk, and Investigated. Officers of
the railway company refused to let
him have it. and he swore out a
search warrant, and, on examination
of the trunk. found that his suspi-
eions were apparently confirmed The
trunk bore no label, and had only
a check tag, evidently having been
taken from one station to another, or
been claimed In the original baggage
room and then rechecked.
The drug came from the Lotspacho
pharmacy, Park and Central streets.
Knoxville. Tenn. to whom 1t had been
sold by the New York Quinine and
Chemical Works, Limited" as the bot
ties bore that name in label.
Made Arrests i'm April.
Early in last April detectives ar
restsd Joseph and Harry Bland, after
lieved to be cocaine peddiers, after
they had heard of an expected ship
ment of the drug from Tennessee.
The two negroes were held for several
days. and were finally dismissed, az
no cocaine could be found in their
possession. Sergeant wiltshire saw
one of the Blands open and receive
letter from Knoxville, saying that
the shipment had been forwarded.
and learned of two money orders, one
for $50, the other for SIC. which had
been sent to Knoxville. He believed,
however, that, the shipment. would
be made to Hanover and then be
brought here by wagon. ge.--.-.,.
But the arrest was made before the
arrival OF the drug. 1t is believed, and
the consiEnees,- whoever they-ware,
became frightened and allowed the
trunk to remain unclaimed The
money orders we're sent under the
name of John Christian, and the re-
ply received on April 9Th, saying that
the shipment had been forwarded,
was signed George & Company
On April 18th Major Werner wrote
TO the chief Of police of Knoxville,
apprising him that two negroes had
been arrested here and that it was
believed shipment of cocaine was
to be sent them from Knoxville, ana
asking him to make an investiga-
ton. There was no reply. Another
letter was sent on April cath, and
there has never been a reply from the
authorities OF Knoxville.
Frightened Away.
Strict watch was kept here for the
expected shipment. and various sus-
poets were closely traiied. But they
evidently became alarmed. and rath-
er than risk term in the peniten-
tiary lost the money they had paid
for the drug
made by City Chemist Whitfield, and.
If the suspicious Of the police prove
to be correct, the trunk and it's con-
tents will be confiscated 1t may ar
forwards be presented to some char
ity hospital
The cost OF cocaine fuctuates.
ranging from 50 to SIS an ounce. II
is now retailed in drug stores for 33S5
an ounce. At the maximum price
the contents of the trunk would be
valued at 5000. The peddler who
plies his Illicit trade earns, however.
about $500 on each ounce conser-
vative estimate--and the contents OF
the trunk would have probably Melted
the peddler $4,000.
Possession of cocaine. except under
license or upon a physicians certifi-
cate. Is prima facie evidence of in
tent to sell. Many negroes are now
serving from one TO Ave years in the
penitentiary for peddling the done. -