The Washington times., 1922-05-14
ALIENS REAP
i HUGE PROFITS
! SELLING DOPE
Merchants" SmuggIe Large
Quantities for Distribution
By Peddlers.
USERS PAY ENORMOUS SUM.
Often Driven to Daring Crimes
to Obtain Funds to Meet
Prices Extorted.
By NAZARIENE KANNIBELLE.

Prices Extorted.
By NAZARIENE KANNIBELLE.
Whether or not there has been
an increase in the drug traffic
since national prohibition went
into effect is not an easy matter
to determine, because an investi-
cation of the records of the legit-
innate processes of distribution
sheds little light on the increase
or decrease of the illegal traffic
in the sale of drugs. The "habi-
tue" or addict seldom gets into
the physician's hands. nor does he
secure his supply through legiti-
mate and legal sources. He de-
pends upon the vice sources of
supply. securing his drug from
the so-called "peddlers. The
peddler does not secure it from
legal sources or by legal means,
but depends for his supply on men
who have unlawful facilities for
securing it in relatively large
amounts.
These men are called "mer-
chants" They are men who can
afford to undertake journeys to
distant places within or outside
Of the country, to contiguous
countries where sue hdrugs are
accessible either because Of pau
city of law or laxness of enforce
ment.
Most Comes From Italy.
The greatest source Of supply dur
ing the past three years has been the
steamship coming from the Italian
ports. Friendly cooperation be-
tween our Government and that OF
Italy would greatly reduce snug
Cling.
Some of the dope merchants" use
persons whose business takes them
to foreign countries. They secure
the services of these messengers as
agents for procuring large quantities
and to smuggle the drugs into the
United States. The merchants"
themselves at times will travel to
foreign countries and bring back a
concealed supply, using tho greatest
igenuity in hiding their illicit store.
The merchant" will sell his supply
at a profit Of 1000 per cent TO q
victim" The victim will obtain his
money by any method, even the
most daring criminal means.
1t often happens that the victim
or the peddler falls into the hands
of either the State or Federal au-
thorities, yet no amount OF examina-
ton will reveal the principals, who
are wealthy Asiatics or Europeans
and who are shrouded in mystery.
E,,a VhN
upon the weakness of white men and
women, has his lair in luxury quite
removed from the squalor of the we'll
known Chinatown or underworld life
In our midst.
A Typical Incident.
The humble Chinese or the bullet
headed foreigner plays his part. In
the underworld he glides amid the
nocturnal throng who make 4 bust
ness of pleasure. While on n tour
of investigation recently, l was in
a second-rate night haunt. A China
man was acting as a waiter. Two
girls came in and called for light
drinks. (these dope addicts are not
heavy boozers), they both having in
tow two well-fed pumpkins. One of
the girls called the waiter, and there
was a whispered conversation. The
Chinese looked apprehensively at the
men. "Oh, they're all right" re.
piled the girl, seeing the questioning
expression and adding IN significant
voice, They don't deal in snow"
IJpon this the waiter brought out
a small box. Both the girls took
pinch of the white powder. 1t was
cocaine. OF course, but 1t is interest.
ing to note that the willy Chinese
has learned the art of adulteration
10 perfection, and these promiscuous
nublic sniffers are being supplied
with cocaine containing adulteration
to the tune Of so per cent A five.
dollar bill passed for the transaction
This will give some idea of the
enormous profits made in the nefar'
ious business. This waiter was quite
on the fringe of the traffic. He
received his supplies from a myster
ious man.
Police Lack Funds.
The police in large centers know
perfectly we'll that these night haunts
are alive with dope habitues who
get their supplies from such men as
we have portrayed. But they are
hampered Owing to the insane par
simony Of the police authorities in
many large American cities, detec.
tlVeS nave pTdCINdlly ITO dlOWdHCt
to dress their parts. When one of
them enters a night haunt, he is
spotted as cop in a second. In
an instant the dope merchant has
concealed his supplies by an infinite
variety of devices which do credit
to the Oriental sublety.
When these catspaws are caught
they literally do not know where
the stuff they peddle comes from.
This is the outer fringe Of the web
with vengeance. The runner"
knows the risk and takes his chance.
II he is caught he stolidly accepts
his fate. So the catspaw gets a
stretch" is sentenced, and the mag.
istrate admits that he realizes the
real men who are making money out
of the traffic are immune from de.
lection.
How then, do these people, this
outer fringe of the web, the Chinks
who infest night haunts and swarm
in the underworld of big cities, get
their supplies? Very simple, yet very
mysteriously. 1t Is a beautiful plan,
and one not likely to lead to trouble.
lie me give an illustration.
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