The New York herald., 1921-01-25
FIGHTS TWO COPS
in DRUG ARREST
Assistant Engineer of Steam
ship Subdued in Clubhouse
After Struggle.
SMUGGLING is ALLEGED
Charles Mills Charged With
Selling Z 1-2 Ounces Of
HerOin for $240.

A months investigation of the
smuggling of drugs from the West
Indies into New York city was fol-
lowed last night by the arrest of
Charles Mills 35, an assistant engineer
employed by the Porto Rican Steam
ship Company, in room in the Mer-
chant Marine officers Club at 152
Riverside Drive. According to DIR.
Carlton Simon, Special Deputy Police
Commissioner in charge Of the work Of
the narcotic squad, who directed the
investigation, Mills submitted to arrest
only after he had tried to choke two
detectives and had been threatened
with death.
The prisoner is known as strong
man. according to statements made at
Police Headquarters by detectives who
took part in his capture, and he was
in a fair way of lighting himself free
from the grips Of two Of them when n
third jammed a revolver into his back
and gave him three seconds to quit.
DR.. Simon's story of the arrest and the
Investigation of the alleged smuggling
went back a month to the time when he
first was told that ships tying up at
New York piers frequently were used
as carriers OF drugs. lie said his men
got description osfs fsornc-of ythe snrus-
glers and last Saturday morning. after
he had been informed ship due that
forenoon was the hiding place for $4,000
of heroin. some Of them went to a
North River pier disguised as long
shoremen. They went as caretakers OF
a lighter and had it tied up at the pier
head.
Saturday night, said the Deputy Com
missioner, he led reenforcements to the
North River pier. and under Federal
supervision searched the vessel. No
drugs were found, but he said his men
learned who smuggled them ashore and
where some of the Illicit cargo was
taken.
DR.. Simon said that he sent Detective
Irving Higgins to the Riverside Drive
clubhouse early last night. He had
provided him with 5000. The number
Of each bill given to Higgins was re-
corded. Higgins went inside the club.
followed by Detective Herbert Moog.
while Sergeant ]. J. Moody and other
detectives waited in the street.
Higgins, said DIR. Simon, was taken 10
a room in the rear OF the club by Mills.
While Moog was waiting in the hallway
for signal to call Moody and enter the
rear room with him as witness Hig-
gins went through with a transaction in
which 1t is charged Mills sold seven aud
a half ounces OF heroin to Higgins Tor
$24O. Higgins pocketed the drug. 1t was
said. and then exhibited his badge, CO.
marking:
ITS all up with you. Mills; I'm cop.
Thereupon, according to the story as II
was related at Police Headquarters.
Mills leaped at Higgins, Higgins was on
the floor and was about to collapse when
Mills slipped and lost his hold. Higgins
succeeded in calling Moog, who was s.:li
In the hall.
Moog and Moody rushed into the room
and grappled with Mills. Moody was
forced to get out his blackjack and use
It. and finally substitute his gun for II
before the engineer gave up the fight
In package In the room where Mills
was arrested, DIR. Simon said, there was
found between $4,000 and $4,000 worth
of drugs, the value depending on quality.