Evening journal., 1923-02-16
Trial to be First Shot in u S.
War on Hollywood Dope Traffic
BY ACK JUNGNnEYER.
NEA Stafr Oorrespdndent-

Los ANGELEs.-The opening
wedge will be driven into dope traf-
fc in the worlds movie hub. gov
ernment officials believe. through
federal prosecution OF James
Bruno, whose trial on charge Of
vending narcotics IN Hollywood will
begin here February 20.
Bruno. alias Moreno, say oficers
who arrested him. had an extensive
clientele in the famous film center.
This trial follows the visit 70 Los
Angeles OF Colonel Mutt. federal mar
cotio chief. II Is considered the
first gun IN a concentrated state and
government attack on drug vendors
haunting the cinema colony.
Because Of its wealthy residents
and sensation seeking winter tour
lists. Hollywood long has been the
mecca OF Americas wiliest dopesters
and the despair OF enforcement Of
flcers.
Here. according TO those who thus
picture Hollywood. habitues have
been practically immune behind a
barrier OF wealth and influence
sleuths declare the handicap On men
and money makes suppression al
most impossible.
Again. the problem OF enforce
ment here probably IL the hardest
IN the country. officers say, because
49,
underworld element where the
stool pigeon" system OF detection
can be operated.
Peddlers usually are paid b.
check and transactions are those OF
tho business world rather than OF
the den. The result: One psddler
Is caught sn Hollywood TO 100 IN
other sections OF the city.
sybaritio parties on the fringe Of
movieland. where. as described BY /
the laws ferrets, the morphine /
needle passes arsind a languorous
group OF immaculate men and jew
eled women or where snow" Is
shifted from perfumed wrists. are
invariably seld behind the osken
doors OF private homes.
There are no ratty serv1tors. no
tattoo OF night sticks. no furtfve
Parties I'm Rich Homes.
These are often homes OF wealthy
people," an oft baf1ed officer said.
and we can't invade them. Behind
their doors IS the threat of a suit II
IN officer gets the wrong bunch. We
haven't funds 20 employ the type OF
nformers we nsed."
To provide drugs for these alleged
parties the brafniest mon Of crook
ION slip across the Mexican border
With cocaine. heroin and morphine.
They smuggle from ships at SAN
Pedro.
nen who made millions IN the traffc
nd who expend lavishly 20 increase
ne number OF victims among the
Iisorestly wealthy.
'rOflts Enormous.
Profits OF dope peddlers are enor-
nous. state inspectors inform me.
Drugs purchased from wholesalers
{ $40 and s65 an ounce retail easi-
= at from 5000 TO $500.
zone attorney. apparently re-
pectable." the dean Of tho Los An
-eies narcotic squad says, has
made $500, 600 on dope IN the last
wo years and a doctor has made
lose 70 100000.
Their clients ars IN Hollywood.
vfiehire and other exclusive resi-
enoe districts, none OF which Is
lors nor less vice-pitted than an
Their
''These men and their f1k can
latch every dollar OF enforcement
1nds with $1,000 20 be used IN evsd- !
ig detection and capture"
tuns Dope Route.
One Hollywood peddier. long un<1 r
er surveillance but never caught.
perates n regular dope route Ike
milkman. making house 10 house
eIiveries in an auto. II
Another recently escaped capture
ut lost a big cache Of morphine
,creted IN a hole IN a canyon back
, Hollywood.
Dope is responsible FOR On per Il
mt OF the crime IN Los Angeles"
lys one ot Sheriff William 'Aao-
sr's veteran investigators. land III
lines due 20 drugs arc rapidly II
lifting from denizens OF dives 10
le upper classes" II