It Was The Good Oil!

Two Suva Customs officers earned themselves rewards in [?]ril after a successful raid on the Hongkong registered ship, [?]aisei”. They seized a quantity of watches, transistor radios, camera, a pair of binoculars, cigarette lighters, etc., plus an scene film, valued in all between £1,000 and £2,000.

The officers, M. N. Buksh and W. Pickering, supposed to searching for opium (after a tip-off ), came across a 44-gallon drum. Mr. Buksh casually placed a dip stick in the drum, and his surprise, found it went only halfway down.

Closer investigation revealed a false bottom with a slide [?]ough which goods could be passed. And there was the contraband! The investigations led to the appearance of a [?]inese cook in the Suva Magistrate’s Court, and a fine of £125.

Under the Customs Ordinance, the officers are entitled to [?]f the fine and half the net proceeds of the goods forfeited, [?]h a maximum of £ 100 for each.

In the photograph, Mr. Buksh points to the false bottom of

drum. Photo: S. A. W hippy