The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-06-29
P. NJ. STEAMERS SMUGGLING OPIUM
Consignment on Mongolia COnfscated by
Federal Officials Mongolia Quarter
master Involved in Plot
Arrests Made.

Thousands of dollars worth Of opium
have been Struggled into the United
States through San Francisco by the
steamers Mongolia ana Siberia during
the past two years and although many
fines have been imposed upon their
masters, the result has been negligible
owing to the fact that upon applica-
ton these fines have been reduced to
ridiculously small amounts.
These facts have been brought to
light as the result of an investigation
begun last week by Collector Suatton.
Special Agent Lemuel w. Bean and
Customs Agent John w Smith of San
Francisco who have already brought
charges against three customs officers
accused Of smuggling the contraband
off Pacific Mail liners.
Under the impression that night
watchmen of the customs were engag-
ed in this traffic, the two treasury
agents concealed themselves on the
Mongolias dock early on the evening
of Tuesday, June Is,
For several hours they watched and
waited until 1870 when they saw
Night Guard A. X. Heilman descend
the gangplank of the Pacific Mailer
Two officials followed Holman away
down the dock to a spot where they
STONED and searched him. All MS
rockets and hand-satchel which he
carried we're crammed with the drug
the total amounting to fifty tins val
ned at $1,000.
When ques toned Heilman declared
that he hao seized the contraand OF
the steamer in his capacity as customs
official and when seized was on nj
way to turn the drug over to the III
spectors on watch.
Holman was stationed on par8
living alongside the steamship Tor IN
Durpose of preventing any opium Ut
ing transferred from the steamer I
the barge. Being taken suddenly Il
he said he went on board the Mongoll
and was on his way to the laVator
uber no stumbled over the fifty tin
which were on deck covered win
niece of canvas. When asked by Agel
Resn why he haG' not reported
seizure to Lieutenant Rush OF the Gu
toms inspectors, he could not give an
reason for this breach of the regul
tions but said that he had reporte
the matter to R. R. Harris, guardin
inspector on board the steamer.
May Dismiss Watchmen.
WHOM Harris was questioned abOI
the affair by the special agent he con
mitted the detective platitude OF 'tur'
ing white as a sheet and "trembIin
like a leaf" He admitted that Hei
man had said something about sci
IRE to him, but he had only ha|
i0ea of what it was
Special Agent Bean and Collec1l
Stratton agreed there was not sun
cient evidence to warrant the arrest
either of the men, but that there wa
sufficient to warrant their DISMISS
from the service. The report OF the
vastigotion will be sent to the Seer
tarv Of the Treasury, with the recon
mandations of the agent and the &C
lector that they be dismissed lot VI
lating the regulations.
Heilman and Harris have oeeh
the service about two years ana are
caivipg wages Of $40 a month haVn
been cut from 500 several months as
wiuiams is a newly appointed h'e
Waterman and receives $50 moh'u
Another smuggler was caught i
hours later by Bean and SmlIn do
wos leaving the dock with twenty
30 onium stuffed under his clothi
~ g Peter GrifalI, quartermaster
tho steamship Mongolia. As there
M Goubt as to his guilt, he was
vested bv United States Marshal Eli
on complaint charging him "
smuggling. United States CommisS
or Francis Krull fixed his ond at @l'
Neither Williams, Harris nor II
man has been suspended from d
peuding the result of the invest
ton.
About year ago night inspe'
named Gibbons was dismissed II
the service under similar conditi'
He had several tins Of opium under
coat after he left his watch on one
the steamers, ana was intercepted
a customs inspector as he was o
street car on his way uptown. He
the inspector that he was going to
( seizure room to report his find. He
failed to notify the lieutenant Of
watch, and for this failure he was
missed from the service.
THE NILES DEPARTURE.