Customs Officer Charged. With Impersonation and Dealing in the Drug Allegations of a serious character in connexion with the opium traffic were made against a member of the Customs outdoor staff who appeared before Mr. Peter Grain, at H. M. Police Court on Wednesday. The accused was J. Doyle, of 47 Route Voyron, and there were six charges against him, as follows:—That on November 12, he did unlawfully attempt to import into Shanghai certain Chinese goods the importation of which is prohibited, viz., opium. contrary to article 70 (3) of the China Order. in Council, 1904, and King's Regulations, No. 2 of 1919.
That he unlawfully dealt in opium, contrary to King's Regulations.
That he unlawfully entered into negotiations for the sale of or dealing in opium, contrary to King's Regulations.
That he unlawfully assumed the character of an officer of the Chinese Maritime Customs for the purpose of obtaining admission to the str. Kiangwah and, in such character, performed an act which he was not entitled to do of his own authority, viz., searched for opium, contrary to section 12 of the Inland Revenue Regulations Act, 1890.
That he falsely impersonated an officer of the Customs on duty for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining moneys for release from seizure of contraband goods, contrary to Common Law.
That he fraudulently, falsely and unlawfully obtained $2,000 from certain Chinese by falsely pretending that he was an active officer of the Customs.and was then authorized-to search for and seize contraband goods, contrary to the Larceny Act.
Mr. R. F. C. Master appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Tycho Wing for the defence.
Mr. L. A. Lyall, Commissioner of Customs in Shanghai, was the first witness called. He stated that in September, accused was suspended from duty, being suspected in_connexion with arms smuggling.. Hay~ ing been suspended, he had no right to wear Customs uniform at all; and in addition to that, in January of this year an order was issued in writing warning-the staff that to appear on board a ship in uniform when not on duty was a very serious offence. Doyle was not then a member of the staff. Subsequent to discovery of the present case he was dismissed by the Inspector-General.
In answer to Mr, Wing, the Commissioner said the accused wae dismissed after he had been found on the Kiangwah sitting on a bag of opium, but what happened before might have had something to do with his dismissal, Mr. Wing—You dismiss him first and, having done that, you bring him into court?
Witness—I did not dismiss him.
A SUNDAY EVENING EPISODE, Mr. W. J. Fulker, acting assistant tidewaiter, stated that he was in charge of the outdoor staff on the night of November 12, and it was his duty to visit various stations in the harbour. He noticed unusual] activity on board the str, Kiangwah lying alongside the. Kin-lee yuen Wharf, ships usually being quiet on Sunday night with lights out and no cargo working. He went abroad and on the foc's'le saw a number of Chinese who did not appear to be members of the crew. There were more apparent strangers in the crew's quarters—Chinese dressed in long fur coats. Going down to the stokehold and engine room, witness looked through the: door and saw a number of Chinese and accused, whom he knew very well. Being alone, witness returned.to his launch alongside the steamer and brought back part of his crew. Returning to the engine" room, he went over to accused, who, sitting on a bale of opium, was wearing a Customs service cap. There was another foreigner named Palamountain present, not in uniform. He was standing, with his foot on another of opium.
suspended. Accused, upon seel: ites knew Doyle had been him, said: "What bout it?" Wit ness answered: "You're caught." As far as witness remembered, accused did not reply.
Mr. Master—What did you mean by_"'You're caught Witness—I knew he had no business On board the steamer. I meant he was caught on the steamer dealing with opium when he had no business to. "Palamountain was holding his head down, so that I could not see who he was," witness continued. "Doyle said to him: Hold" your head up. It's no you're caught.'.He then lifted his head, and I saw who he was. Tha two of them then left the engine
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.