The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-05
CAUGHT WITH OPIUM
VALUED AT $4,000
Hugo GrObe, Who Says He Was
Officer on German Liner.
Charged With Plot.
PERSIA SOURCE OF SUPPLY
Authorities Say Drug Was
Struggled Aboard Ship in
Life Preservers.
PERSIA SOURCE OF SUPPLY

Hugo t;robe. who says ne Is a retired
second officer Of the North German Lloyd
fleet was arrested yesterday as ne came
out OF n saloon at Eiglsy-sixth street
and First avenue carrying $4,000 worth
OF opium In three bags.
Grobe. according to the Federal au-
thorities. is the European agent of the
smuggling ring. composed of several
Chinese and white men, who worked out
IA scheme for bringing in Persian opium
on ships OF the North German Lloyu.
They say he broke with the ring because
tine conspirators refused to play fair with
him.
In Grobe's pocket was found memo
randum showing. II II alleged. that he
had brought over during the past FIVE
months 1000 pounds OF Persian opium.
worth about $4,000. Only 250 pounds
OF this, II IS said, was brought over for
the smuggling ring.
Grobe it is said. admitted that he had
brought In Persian opium for himself
until John Eyckman. the Hoboken Hotel
PROPRIETOR and Yee Sang. the Chinese inn
porter, who were arrested on Tuesday
formed their alleged plot and asked him
20 he their European agent.
Grobe ii is said found II inconvenient
to make the trip from his home near
Hamburg, Germany, to this country every
time he wanted to peddle a lot OF opium.
so he accepted the Offer. II was his duty.
so the story runs. to get the opium from
his source Of supply in Persia and hand
II over to a stevedore. who took II on
board the German boat ut Bremen In a
life preserver strapped about his chest.
Several months ago. IT Is said. Grobe
shipped Eyckman and sang 200 pounds
OF opium and waited patiently for them to
send him his share OF the proff's. But, II
Is alleged. they even failed to pay him for
the opium, whereupon Grobe determined
10 sell the drug on his own behalf again.
The falling out OF the consp!rators Is
said to have led to the arrest OF Sang and
F.yckman. who In turn turned over to the
customs men Information showing Grobe's
part in the plot.
According 10 this data Il 10 said. Grobe
arrived here on the Kronprinzessin Cecile
on February ~ with seventy five pounds
OF the drug. Customs Agents Lewis, Col
| Inns and Kyle traced him to a boarding
house on Park avenue In Hoboken. Then
they learned that he carried his opium to
the saloon at Eighty-sixth street and First
avenue.
| Yesterday when Grobe attempted to
| take the drug away he found Capt Jones,
head OF the detectives OF the Fifth inspec-
| ton district and Customs Agent Collins
waiting for him. They took him to the
| East Eiyhty-eighth street police station
| and fro m;htrc me was transferred to the
Federal Building. where ne was arra!gned
| before Judge Hunt In the United states
District Court and held In $500 bail
Grobe told the authorities that he would
! have to cable TO his home near Hamburl
for money enough to secure bond. IL
the meantime he was sent to the Tombs
lie Is We'll dressed man OF perhaps sc
years and shows many evidences OF breed
Ing and education. He said that until q
short time ago he was second officer or
I the Kronprinzessin Cecille and was hon
orably retired. At the office of the NORTH
German Lloyd II was said that no such
name appears on their list OF active or re
tired officers.