Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-10-11
CUSTOMS MEN
CAN SEARCH
ANY VEHICLE;
New Law Will give Inspectors
Greater Opportunity to
Prevent Smuggling Of Ii
quor From Mexico

Under the enforcement regulations OF
the new tariff act the effectiveness OF
the customs service in supprcssing
smuggling Of liquor and other goods has
been greatly augmented. according 10
Deputy Collector Of Customs VIM. Ncalc
who recently received a copy Of the
new tariff law and has made comprc-
hensiyc study Of it's provisions.
Customs inspectors are now permitted
to search any vehicle. as well as any
vessel. and are authorized to use force
to stop such vehicles In eases where
they have reason to believe there is
smuggicd liquor or other goods IN the
vehicle. This will greatly facilitate the
capture of bootlcggers, as heretofore il
has been unlawful to use force in stop
ping vehicles suspected of having such
goods. The law also places liquors in
tho class Of merchandise and as the
manufacture and transportation Of such
merchandise is prohibited in the
United States. the fac; that any person
found to possess merchandise of this
character is in itself proof that it has
been smugglcd into the country. and
the person in whose possession il is
found can be held upon smuggling
charge as well as upon a charge filed
under the provisions of the Volstead act.
As a further means of stopping the
border smuggling of liquor and other
goods. and as a protection against the
organized bands of smugglcrs who have
been plying their trade from San Diego.
California. to Brownsville. the customs
officers will be supplied with repeating
shotguns and buckShot. which they will
carry in addition to the regular service
revolver.
The following are the enforcement
regulations contained in the new tariff
act:
Sec. 593-SmuggIing and Clandcstine
Importations
fal If any person knowingly and will
fully. with intent to dcfraud the rcvc-
nue. of the United States smuggles or
clsnde stincly introduces. into the United
States any merchandise which should
have been invoiccd. or makes out or
passes, or attempts % pass. thrQR:h ths.
customs house any false forged or
fraudulent invoice. every such person,
his. her or their aidcrs and abcttors.
shall he deemed guilty OF misdemean-
or and on conviction thereof shall be
fined in any sum not exceeding $4,000.
or imprisoned for any term of time
not exceeding two years, or both. in the
discretion of the court.
fb) II any person fraudulcntly or
knowingly imports or brings into the
United States. or assists in so doing.
receives. conccals buys. sells. or in any
manner facilitates the transportat' on
ronccalmcnt, or sale of such mcrchan-
disc after importation knowing the same
to have been imported or brought into
the United States contrary TO Law. such
merchandise shall lie forfeited and the
offender shall he fined i'm any sum not
exceeding $4,000. nor less than $50. or be
imprisoned for any time not exceeding
five years. or both. Whenever on trial
for violation Of this section the defend
ant Is shown 10 have or 10 have had
pos ossession OF such goods. such posses.
sion shall be deemed evidence sufficient
10 authorize conviction. unless the de-
fendanf shall explain the possession TO
the satisfaction of the jury.
''es'"" "ciVHSSiS Y Ahf cNNt"Nht
or Of the Coast Guard. and agents or
other persons authorized by the sccrc-
tary OF the treasury. or appointed for
that purpose in writing by collector
may mt any time 60 on board Of any
vessel or vehicle at any place in the
United States or within four leagues of
the coast Of the United States. without
a well ns within their respective dis
tricts. 10 examine the manifest. and TO
inspect. search and examine the vessel
ar vehicle. and every part thereof. and
any person. trunk or package on board.
and TO this end 10 hail and stop such
vessel or vehicle. il under way. and use
all necessary force to compel compli-
ance. and il il shall appear that any
breach or violation of the laws Of the
United States has been committed
whereby or in consequence Of which
sueh vessel or vehicle, or the merchan-
disc. or any part thereof. on board OF
~ Imported by such vessel or vehicle is
liable to forfeiture, IL shall be the duty
Of such officers to make seizure OF the
same. and 10 arrest. or. in case of cs-
cape or attempted escape. 10 pursue and
arrest any person engaged in such
breach or violation.
ROADS IN RAD SHAPE