New-York tribune., 1921-02-04
Huge Drug
Ring Barred
Port Collector Says sys-
sem Operates All Over
the w World and Embraces
Ships of Every Nation

A. widespread and we'll organized
system is engaged in smuggling vast
quantities of narcotic drugs into this
country, with operations extending all
over the world and embracing the ships
of every nationality that come into
this port.
That is the outstanding fact dis
closed by the investigation made by
Byron R. Newton, Collector of the
Port, into the alleged corrupt condi-
tions that have gradually grown up in
the ranks Of the customs inspectors
on the piers in the last year. It is
also confirmed by the different mar
cotic squads that are at work in the
city to check the traffic in the illicit
drugs.
The Investigation Of Collector New
ton has been quietly under way for
the last six weeks, yet has practically
only just begun. 1t has met with
many serious obstacles. but it has
already resulted in the dismissal of
six inspectors from the service, while
thirty-four others have cases pending
against them. AS yet, however, there
has been no criminal action taken
against anyone involved.
Liquor Smuggling Spasmodic
The smuggling of liquor into this
port, according to the evidence dis
a spasmodic nature than any directed
or organized scheme. Despite this
there are already IN storage more than
10000 quarts of various kinds Of liquor
that have been seized by customs in
spectors. That represents small seiz-
ures, as all seizures OF more than $500
in value are handled directly by the
Federal courts.
The drug smuggling, however. is the
most serious question now confronting
the authorities. Collector Newton ad-
mitted yesterday that the investigation
showed positively the existence of the
system. From other sources it was
learned that the drugs were smuggled
here chiefly on Italian and Greek ships.
There are two methods chiefly in
vogue to get the drugs in, it was said.
The first is by the use of either row
boats or small motor craft that pull
up alongside the big ship at its pier.
The member of the crew who is en-
ployed by the system then drops the
drugs overheard. The other method is
to bribe the customs inspectors and
walk ashore with them. The system
| includes a well-organized distribution
scheme for the sale Of the smuggled
drugs.
Forty Inspectors Involved
| Collector Newton admitted that SO
| far about forty inspectors were In
volved in the investigation out OF the
total of 470 on duty in the fifty sta
tions in this district. These men come
directly under, the supervision Of
but he would not make any comment
upon the situation.
| Earl Barnes, Assistant District At
| torney, who is in charge of the civil
branch of the Federal District Attor-
ney's office, said he had already been
in conference with Collector Newton,
and as soon as the latter's investiga-
tion was in shape he would present the
cases to the Federal grand jury for in
dictments The more fagrant cases
will be dealt with first. All smuggling
cases, whether civil or criminal, come
within the jurisdiction of Mr.. Barnes.
The charges against the inspectors
already involved concern the accept
ance of tips or bribes. A number of
the inspectors who, it is said, have
been vigorous in soliciting bribes in
the last year have become known as
baggage hounds" Some of these, it
is charged, have been in the habit of
calling at the Offices Of passengers
after they have landed in order to col
lect bribes.
Bribes Range From ST to $500
Collector Newton declared it was ex-
tremely difficult to obtain confirmation
of a bribe, because the giver did not
wish to admit complicity. The investi-
Continued next pags)