Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-09
DRUG SMUCCLERS WILL
Be GIVEN A HEAR n G
Government officials Believe
They Have Line On Men Who
Have Acquired Wealth BY
Handling Thousands of Dollars
Worth of Opium

| Probably the biggest opium snug
Cling cases ever tried In New England
will come UP at the present session of
the United States court which con-
vened in Montpelier January T. A,
that time Alfred Carmicelli. Theodore
| Deutschman and b. f. Swami, a whole
sale druggist all of Boston, will be
arraigned for being involved in the
smuggling of many thousands of dol
lars worth of drugs into the United
States. The cases are important, not
only because of the wealth of the re-
spondents and the great amount of
money used in their operations. but
also because of the extensive manner
in which they worked and the COM
pletcness of the system. For the rea-
| son that the government men did not
desire publicity because 1t might ham
per their Investigations. little has been
made known regarding their discov
cries, but 1t Is their belief that with
the conviction of this trio a system will
be broken up. which has brought hun
dreds of thousands of dollars worth of
opium into the United States illegally.
Swami is indicted for conspiracy to
defraud the government and Deutsch-
man for smuggling, while Carmicelli,
whom the government men deem the
leader of the system. has been indict-
cd on both counts and several others
will probably be brought in.
The first suspicion, which became at
tached to Carmicelli. was long ago
when his repeated trips to Montreal
aroused the curiosity of the revenue
men. His mother is very wealthy and
Carmicelli made no pretense of having
any regular occupation. He is a man
n hntf A rf atra 10 a q
a keen, sharp man, and for a long
time the inspectors could get nothing
on him. The accidental arrest of
Deutschman was the first substantial
clue the government men got on Car
micelli.
Because they took such an interest in
the affairs of Mr.. Carmicelli. govern
ment men in Montreal were following
him on one Of his visits there last June.
He got away from them for the reason
that his automobile was faster than
theirs. His getaway was clean and In
spectors Harvey and Finnegan were on
the train back from Montreal in very
happy frome of mind when one of them,
in going through the train met Deutsch
man. whose alias is p. Ducie. The in
spector found him in the smoker and
accosted him with Hello Ted" Deutsch-
inspector and when asked what he was
doing so far from Boston replied that
he was taking a pleasure trip. This was
on June l, when the train was between
Burlington and st. Adams.
Deutschman had an exceedingly large
grip with him and was asked what it
contained. Deutschman said his clothing,
but before he could make any further
movement the inspector had the grip. In
1t was a smaller one which contained
approximately 5000 worth of opium one
of the largest single catches ever pulled
off.
From Deutschman and further investi-
eating 1t was learned that on the night
of the Goth. when Carmiceli got away
from the officers in Montreal, he had
made his way to st. Adams, where he
met Deutschman on appointment at the
Tavern. At that time he transferred
the smaller grip with 5000 worth of the
drug over to Deutschman and went on
to New York city by automobile.
Deutschman was trying to get to Boston
with his load when arrested. Carmi-
celli used automobiles exclusively and
in> that way was more difficult to cap
ture.
With the clues the inspectors got at
that time, the work of getting after
Carmicelli began in earnest. His apart
ments in Boston were searched and a
trunk containing all of $4,000 worth OF
opium was found there. New York and
Boston were combed for the man without
success for a WHILE but he was finally
landed in Boston.
DEVELOPMENTS DAILY
The government men were continually
at the work and nearly every day brought
developments of a startling nature. 1t
was learned to the satisfaction of the
detectives that Carmicelli had connec-
tons with Boston wholesale drug~com-
pany. This company could. without sus-
p'cion order large quantities of opium
and its derivatives from the factories
in New Jersey and elsewhere and then
legally ship to another firm in Montreal |
The business was large but with war
orders and other excuses they avoided
suspicion. In Montreal Carmicelli would |
go to the concern to which the opium |
was shipped and get it, He would then !
give II to the men whom he engaged |
In the business of getting it across the |
border. The government men think they |
have true line or about a half dozen |
men who worked for Carmicell IT. this !
connection.
Because Carmicelli was not seen to
purchase the drug in any of the regular |
places, the government men did not learn
that he was purchasing such large |
amounts. None of the transactions was
brought to light through the ordinary
channels, as usual !
Closely following the arrest of Car
micelli came that of Swami, who is n |
member of the firm which is suspected
or ordering the opium in this country |
ana later shipping it to a part of the |
system in Montreal He is, therefore, |
under indictment for conspiracy to de- |
fraud the government. Deutschman, !
VINO processes to be a tailor by trade |
Is only charged with Smuggling, but |
Carmiceih Will have TO answer to both
and perhaps several other counts.
what the profits were in getting rid |
OF such great quantities of the drug ia |
hard to estimate. but they must have
peeh enormous Carmiceili himself was |
never known to get into the lesser game
or selling 1t, but disposed of great ouan-
titles through his agents, who in turn
passed 1t along through to the smaller |
fry until some OF If reached the streets
of the cities in the little 50 and 75 cent
packages.
The financial standing Of the mon in
volved is shown by the fact that the,,
are able without difficulty to secure hail |
In apparently any amount. Deutschman
Is now out on $500 bail and Carmicelli |
whose bail was fixed at $4,000. secured |
the amount without any difficulty They
have obtained some of the best lexa,
talent which Boston has to defend them