Xtra News Community 2

General Category => General Forum => Topic started by: nitpicker1 on December 30, 2009, 03:05:27 am



Title: drug possession
Post by: nitpicker1 on December 30, 2009, 03:05:27 am

Australian arrested at Bali airport for drug possession
December 29, 2009 - 5:49PM
 
An Australian man has been arrested at Bali airport after customs officers found two grams of marijuana in his luggage.

Robert Paul McJannett, 48, was arrested after arriving in Bali with his adult son on a Virgin Blue flight from Perth last night.

Bali police allege McJannett was carrying the marijuana in a plastic bag in socks in his luggage.

The head of the Bali Police drugs squad, Colonel Kokot Indarto, said police intended to charge McJannett with article 112 of the narcotics law for carrying drugs from abroad, which carries a penalty of more than five years' jail.

"Because he carried more than two grams, this could not be indicated as users because users limitation is only 0.15 gram. That's why he's aimed with carrying drugs," Indarto said.

Airport customs official Bagus Endro Wibowo said McJannett had initially been uncooperative following his arrest.

"He even ran with the marijuana and tried to flush it in toilet, but the officers managed to avoid it," Wibowo said

http://www.theage.com.au/world/australian-arrested-at-bali-airport-for-drug-possession-20091229-liky.html





Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on December 30, 2009, 04:52:49 am
They never learn. ::)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: guest49 on December 30, 2009, 06:46:20 am
Sad people, that need to risk their life and liberty for the sake of a fix...............


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on December 30, 2009, 07:00:41 am
LOL when you read the article, seems like the journo was high when writing it.

Quote
He even ran with the marijuana and tried to flush it in toilet, but the officers managed to avoid it

Quote
That's why he's aimed with carrying drugs," Indarto said.

No sympathy for those caught in these circumstances ... any adult who doesnt know the situation in Bali now shouldnt be traveling.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on December 30, 2009, 07:02:40 am
Quote
any adult who doesnt know the situation in Bali now shouldnt be traveling.
Shouldn't that read.... any adult who carries dope  who doesnt know the situation in Bali now shouldnt be traveling.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on December 30, 2009, 07:05:27 am
If you fucking like Magoo .. im surprised you asked .. you usually make it up as you go along.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on December 30, 2009, 07:06:42 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvBVsq9I24E&feature=related
 ;D Now thats funny story


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Brownie55 on December 30, 2009, 08:05:33 am
Quote
any adult who doesnt know the situation in Bali now shouldnt be traveling.
Shouldn't that read.... any adult who carries dope  who doesnt know the situation in Bali now shouldnt be traveling.

Very true.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Newtown-Fella on December 30, 2009, 09:10:22 am
LOL when you read the article, seems like the journo was high when writing it.

Quote
He even ran with the marijuana and tried to flush it in toilet, but the officers managed to avoid it

Quote
That's why he's aimed with carrying drugs," Indarto said.

No sympathy for those caught in these circumstances ... any adult who doesnt know the situation in Bali now shouldnt be traveling.


just like any responsible adult in NZ shouldnt be using or dealing ...

the day that judges grow some balls and sentence people to long lags then users/dealers might just wake up to the fact that its just not worth the hassle ....



Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on December 30, 2009, 09:17:21 am
Many laws have changed over the years Newt, gay men used to be beaten in the streets and no one cared a hoot!!  Many of the public feel they MUST be tolerant of gay men simply because of a law change.     

Alcohol was prohibited for many years also - many feel they must be tolerant of that too .. because of a law change.

Get off your high horse.  LOL i can see you logging on and seeing a drug relating topic and knowing exactly how and what you are going to blast me with today!  You and your older lady friends.  ;D  Y'all make yourselves look childish in your attacks on me, when you leave alone the other self proclaimed smokers in the group.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on December 30, 2009, 09:43:43 am
Quote
If you fucking like Magoo .. im surprised you asked .. you usually make it up as you go along.
  Since you are an expert on everything I suppose it must be true.  Sorry to be so long responding.  I have been off doing something useful.  (https://cdn.smfboards.com/Smileys/smf/2funny.gif)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Newtown-Fella on December 30, 2009, 10:19:18 am
Many laws have changed over the years Newt, gay men used to be beaten in the streets and no one cared a hoot!!  Many of the public feel they MUST be tolerant of gay men simply because of a law change.     

Alcohol was prohibited for many years also - many feel they must be tolerant of that too .. because of a law change.

Get off your high horse.  LOL i can see you logging on and seeing a drug relating topic and knowing exactly how and what you are going to blast me with today!  You and your older lady friends.  ;D  Y'all make yourselves look childish in your attacks on me, when you leave alone the other self proclaimed smokers in the group.

and exactly where have i attacked you L'lee ?

i havent mentioned your name at all in any posting that i have made around Drugs ...

you do an excellent job of letting us all know how you support drug use  and we all know where that got you ...

next time might not be as pleasant or as short of stay under HM Service ...

get over yourself ....







Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: AnFaolchudubh on December 30, 2009, 12:40:03 pm
  Y'all make yourselves look childish in your attacks on me, when you leave alone the other self proclaimed smokers in the group.

Maybe they do because you make the most noise!


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Newtown-Fella on December 30, 2009, 01:08:34 pm
  Y'all make yourselves look childish in your attacks on me, when you leave alone the other self proclaimed smokers in the group.

Maybe they do because you make the most noise!

never a truer word posted ..... :D


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on December 30, 2009, 01:20:29 pm
Well, at least I am honest.  I dont hide or deny anything & I dont tell lies.
I have no need to be dishonest or hide anything, its twaddlers like Newf who have the problem about MJ.  Mind you - seems he has many problems.

I am noisy because I know who I am and believe in myself and what I know.  I find it quite funny when someone says Im a know it all - thats a good thing that some think I know it all.  I wouldnt go so far as to say I do know all - but if I dont know about something, I will go and find out.   


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Brownie55 on December 30, 2009, 02:05:42 pm
Well, at least I am honest.  I dont hide or deny anything & I dont tell lies.
I have no need to be dishonest or hide anything, its twaddlers like Newf who have the problem about MJ.  Mind you - seems he has many problems.

I am noisy because I know who I am and believe in myself and what I know.  I find it quite funny when someone says Im a know it all - thats a good thing that some think I know it all.  I wouldnt go so far as to say I do know all - but if I dont know about something, I will go and find out.  

Don't know about you knowing it all LL but you are extremely defensive and a tad bad tempered today.  MJ is not mellowing you out much. :o


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Newtown-Fella on December 30, 2009, 02:44:12 pm
Well, at least I am honest.  I dont hide or deny anything & I dont tell lies.
I have no need to be dishonest or hide anything, its twaddlers like Newf who have the problem about MJ.  Mind you - seems he has many problems.

I am noisy because I know who I am and believe in myself and what I know.  I find it quite funny when someone says Im a know it all - thats a good thing that some think I know it all.  I wouldnt go so far as to say I do know all - but if I dont know about something, I will go and find out.  

Don't know about you knowing it all LL but you are extremely defensive and a tad bad tempered today.  MJ is not mellowing you out much. :o


(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt153/Newtown-Fella/ThumbSmiley.jpg)



Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: jiribiri on December 30, 2009, 02:51:05 pm
surely he would have an insanity defence?

grog should be made illegal...it does the most damage to society.



Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on December 30, 2009, 03:00:14 pm
Quote
grog should be made illegal...it does the most damage to society.
Hear! hear!


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: AnFaolchudubh on December 30, 2009, 04:45:50 pm
Well, at least I am honest.  I dont hide or deny anything & I dont tell lies.
  

100% lie free are you?, I'll believe that when I see it!


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: AnFaolchudubh on December 30, 2009, 04:48:21 pm
surely he would have an insanity defence?

grog should be made illegal...it does the most damage to society.



I totally agree, it'd be a nice little earner for the likes of me who know how to make it etc..

And of course banning grog has worked before as history has shown us like the 1930's USA and the prohibation of the King Country... ::)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on December 30, 2009, 05:18:51 pm
Well, at least I am honest.  I dont hide or deny anything & I dont tell lies.
  

100% lie free are you?, I'll believe that when I see it!

Yes I am 100% lie free and proud of it!  One thing I will not tolerate is lies - I have never seen a need for them.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: AnFaolchudubh on December 30, 2009, 09:30:46 pm
Well, at least I am honest.  I dont hide or deny anything & I dont tell lies.
  

100% lie free are you?, I'll believe that when I see it!

Yes I am 100% lie free and proud of it!  One thing I will not tolerate is lies - I have never seen a need for them.

So not even one lie... ever, not one false claim for that matter, like some supposedly replying to every single post of another poster on this board?


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: tormentedcanvases on December 31, 2009, 07:34:23 am

grog should be made illegal...it does the most damage to society.


  have to    agree with you on that one.




Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: jiribiri on December 31, 2009, 09:16:04 am
tormented...yes grog is the covert drug of harm...hidden behind legality and vested interests, including the govt taxes.

alcohol and drugs...it is even worthy of a seperate classification.

it is not prohibition that will fix the alcohol problem....it is first of all example by parents...secondly using education from an early age..perhaps 7-8

what is the potential loss from brain damage with young people...a 10% loss certainly cuts back options for individuals and createsa large deficit for society


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on December 31, 2009, 12:23:51 pm
Yah thats all fine - but you cant beat the general propaganda from the govt - alcohol is bad for you but we make a lot of money & how bad MJ is but we cant make any money from it :(

There is understanding that alcohol is a problem drug - but there is no real acknowledgement.  If there was real acknowledgement IMO there would be more opposition to it and more support for Police guidelines.

Every time changes are touted and zero alcohol when driving comes up, there is an outcry from some sections of the public.   


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on December 31, 2009, 01:15:40 pm
A nasty drug they make everyone take.

Fluoride: Miracle drug or toxic-waste killer?
Safety debate over public water treatments heats up with release of shocking new studies


http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63514


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: nitpicker1 on January 01, 2010, 04:19:31 am
meanwhile, back on the topic:



Aussie trade union official in Bali jail claims drugs planted
 Deborah Cassrels From: The Australian
January 01, 2010 12:00AM

I AM going to die in here," gasped Robert McJannett, from his tiny, cramped cell at Polda police headquarters in Denpasar, Bali, yesterday. Leaning towards the bars, Mr McJannett, who was arrested at Bali's airport on Monday night allegedly carrying 1.7g of marijuana in his suitcase, appeared like a caged animal as he jostled for space with two other men.

"I have Meniere's disease, diverticulitis and hepatitis C and they took my medication away when I was arrested. I call out for help but they don't bring it," said Mr McJannett, who also claimed to have ear and throat infections.

The latest Australian to be detained under Indonesia's stringent drug laws, Mr McJannett, 48, will be held and interrogated at Polda for up to 20 days before being charged. If his cell becomes overcrowded he will be transferred to Kerobokan jail.

Mr McJannett was visited by Australian consular officials yesterday. He said his Indonesian lawyer, Andre, was working on a case for deportation on humanitarian grounds. "We're hoping they'll deport me, because I'm so ill."

He also says authorities may not be able to lay charges because the drugs were planted in his luggage after he left Perth airport. Bali police claim the entire drug weight of 2g includes a plastic ziplock bag.

"There is no way they would have made it through Perth airport -- they were put into a sock, then into a large metal sleeve which resembled a bomb. That set the X-ray off. I would have been stopped at Perth security."

The Perth crane operator told The Australian he suspected union officials of setting him up.

Bali police claim the socks in which the drugs were allegedly secreted carried the Bonds brand. "I wear Adidas," said McJannett.

He arrived in Bali with his adult son -- who was searched -- on a Virgin Blue flight from Perth. A backpack inside his suitcase allegedly carried the drugs and his medication. "The drugs were put in my bag, it was all deliberate. I've lived and worked in Malaysia and Singapore. I know what the drug laws are here, " he said.

Asked why he tried to run to an airport bathroom to flush the drugs down the toilet, he replied: "It's all bollocks. I didn't run off to the toilet. The ''paparazzi'' said that, it didn't happen".

Bali drugs squad chief Kokot Indarto said yesterday police intended to charge Mr McJannett with a new article 111 of the narcotics law for carrying drugs from abroad, which carries a minimum penalty of four years' jail and maximum penalty of 12 years. "But the final decision will depend on the court. The decision is not only based on the the amount but honesty, attitude and how he behaves. If the suspect does not co-operate he will get a heavier sentence," Colonel Indarto said.

"He is generally being helpful but he's still saying he doesn't know how it got there."

Indonesia places hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine in the same category as marijuana. They are all classified as Type A drugs and carry the same penalties for trafficking.

Police are waiting on results from blood and urine tests carried out on Wednesday to ascertain if Mr McJannett is a drug-user.

If tests are positive, he may receive a lighter sentence. Anything over 0.15g is considered trafficking.


Mr McJannett will most likely be transferred to Kerobokan Jail, joining convicted, high-profile drug traffickers Schapelle Corby and Bali Nine members.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/aussie-trade-union-official-in-bali-jail-claims-drugs-planted/story-e6frg6nf-1225815113738


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on January 01, 2010, 04:34:35 am
Quote
Police are waiting on results from blood and urine tests carried out on Wednesday to ascertain if Mr McJannett is a drug-user.
I hope they publish the results. 


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on January 01, 2010, 07:05:08 am
McJannett??

This must be the same McJannett who is prominent in WA politics!  LOL No doubt there will be calls for his release into Aussie hands real soon.



Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on January 01, 2010, 07:13:06 am
Bit more on him http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-firebrands-arrest-shocks-opponents-20091229-lin4.html (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-firebrands-arrest-shocks-opponents-20091229-lin4.html)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Sir Blodsnogger on January 01, 2010, 07:38:46 am
All drug pushers tell lies and so do the users.
Real mongrels they are. Riff rafff who should be transported to China for brain washing.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on January 01, 2010, 07:56:21 am
Bit more on him http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-firebrands-arrest-shocks-opponents-20091229-lin4.html (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-firebrands-arrest-shocks-opponents-20091229-lin4.html)

Ahhh yes.  LOL Quite a popular guy in his circle.


All drug pushers tell lies and so do the users.
Real mongrels they are. Riff rafff who should be transported to China for brain washing.

You must know a lot of people who indulge Blod.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: nitpicker1 on January 01, 2010, 08:33:12 am
All drug pushers tell lies and so do the users.
Real mongrels they are. Riff rafff who should be transported to China for brain washing.

1.7g  ummm  how many tinnies is that? 

Quote
Mr Lloyd said Mcjannett had sat random occupational drugs tests while working with Prestige Logistics over the past "12 months or so" and had never failed.

He also said many of the company's customers - including Henderson-based Strategic Marine, where Mcjannett worked in his last contracting job along with his 21-year-old son Joshua Daley, a Strategic employee - also had compulsory testing which he had never failed



Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Newtown-Fella on January 01, 2010, 09:09:33 am
oh no shock horror your honor i didnt know it was in my bag .....

no really i didnt ....

with such high profile cases involving other aussies caught arrested and jailed only an idiot would contemplate carry any drugs into Bali ....

mind you drug users think they are bullet proof and they wont get caught and will do anything to ensure they have their next fix with them ...






Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: k1w14ever on January 01, 2010, 09:24:00 am
oh he did it, oh look how did it get in my surf board.  People must think other are dumb.

What gets me is the money that will be spent on these dumb ass people and the money could be spent on better things.


I have no real problem with people who do drugs, there choice and none of my business.  You travel with it then you should be left on your know and take what is coming to you.  Like most countrys you have to sign a form to say whether or not you packed your own bags.    I find it hard to believe that there is a little man in the bangage area putting drugs randonly in peoples bags. 


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Newtown-Fella on January 01, 2010, 09:34:33 am

I find it hard to believe that there is a little man in the bangage area putting drugs randonly in peoples bags. 
 

oh come on kiwi of course there is a little man at the airport in aussie and to make sure there are drugs in your bag there is a little man in bali who double checks to make sure the aussie man did his job properly and if he hasnt then the little man in bali drops some in your bag ....

now if you believe all that then you believe in the tooth fairy ....


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 10:57:37 am
All drug pushers tell lies and so do the users.
Real mongrels they are. Riff rafff who should be transported to China for brain washing.

Dont you think this guy has a good case

Quote
He also says authorities may not be able to lay charges because the drugs were planted in his luggage after he left Perth airport. Bali police claim the entire drug weight of 2g includes a plastic ziplock bag.

"There is no way they would have made it through Perth airport -- they were put into a sock, then into a large metal sleeve which resembled a bomb. That set the X-ray off. I would have been stopped at Perth security."

Mention the word drug in front of some people like blod and other's they quickly become anal
then want to inflict pain on some innocent person.

It would be funny if they found them selfs framed for drug smuggling on an oversea's trip  ;D

 


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on January 01, 2010, 11:01:44 am
Quote
The Perth crane operator told The Australian he suspected union officials of setting him up.
If he wasn't unpopular with the union before, he will be now. ::)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 11:08:18 am
Its a bit Suspect,Its lucky he didn't go to China..

Co-owner of Prestige Logistics, Paul Lloyd, said his employee had been on Christmas leave and "as far as I know had been moving house".

Quote
"I mean, it's a bit of a shock," Mr Lloyd said.

"I didn't even know he was going to Bali."

Mr Lloyd said Mcjannett had sat random occupational drugs tests while working with Prestige Logistics over the past "12 months or so" and had never failed.

He also said many of the company's customers - including Henderson-based Strategic Marine, where Mcjannett worked in his last contracting job along with his 21-year-old son Joshua Daley, a Strategic employee - also had compulsory testing which he had never failed.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-firebrands-arrest-shocks-opponents-20091229-lin4.html



Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on January 01, 2010, 11:11:56 am
Quote
Its a bit Suspect,Its lucky he didn't go to China..

Co-owner of Prestige Logistics, Paul Lloyd, said his employee had been on Christmas leave and "as far as I know had been moving house".

Quote
"I mean, it's a bit of a shock," Mr Lloyd said.

"I didn't even know he was going to Bali."

Mr Lloyd said Mcjannett had sat random occupational drugs tests while working with Prestige Logistics over the past "12 months or so" and had never failed.

He also said many of the company's customers - including Henderson-based Strategic Marine, where Mcjannett worked in his last contracting job along with his 21-year-old son Joshua Daley, a Strategic employee - also had compulsory testing which he had never failed.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-firebrands-arrest-shocks-opponents-20091229-lin4.html

I don't think drug test in the work place is a guarantee because there is a herbal substance that can be taken and will ensure a clean test.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 11:22:25 am
Quote
The Perth crane operator told The Australian he suspected union officials of setting him up.
If he wasn't unpopular with the union before, he will be now. ::)

You can make anything happen in Australia for just a few buck$

Maybe a lot of people just won't believe that,
i could easy prove it,
Shout me a trip to Sydney and I could pay the cops to frame anyone,thats because the cops are all bent there,and lots of people in the big city would do anything for a few bucks.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 11:31:35 am
Quote
Magoo
I don't think drug test in the work place is a guarantee because there is a herbal substance that can be taken and will ensure a clean test.

Does he seem like a stupid guy ?


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on January 01, 2010, 12:03:58 pm
Quote
You can make anything happen in Australia for just a few buck$
You can make anything happen in NZ for just a few bucks.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on January 01, 2010, 12:05:51 pm

1.7g  ummm  how many tinnies is that? 



Thats not much more than one tinny - for a heavy smoker thats about half a days smoke.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on January 01, 2010, 12:14:10 pm


Mention the word drug in front of some people like blod and other's they quickly become anal
then want to inflict pain on some innocent person.

It would be funny if they found them selfs framed for drug smuggling on an oversea's trip  ;D

 

Theres quite a few who go anal when they hear the word 'drug' not just blod.  Have you ever noticed radio announcers when reading the news.  When they say the word 'drug' they drag it out giving it a spooky sound.  DRRRRRUUUGGGGSSSS  ;D

The composition that is supposed to mask MJ in the system are reported to be not too great.  There are some on the market in pillule form too.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 12:46:18 pm
Lovelee It depends on who you are and how important you are,there's different laws for the rich and the poor.
If your the Governator of California  and admit to smoking pot thats ok.

If your Obama, George bush, or Bill Clinton.they all admitted to smoking pot and its not a fucking problem.

So if your someone as rich as Bill Gates you can do anything you fucking wan't,

But if your a just a pot smoking mum from the suburbs and you get caught your fucked.

It just too funny and strange for me to understand ;D 


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: ssweetpea on January 01, 2010, 12:51:35 pm
What gets me annoyed is when various people, celebrates usually, are reported as having prescription drugs in their homes.

The implication is that these are bad things.

My house has several stashes of prescription drugs. The medicine cabinet is not big enough or convenent to contain a couple of months worth of 3 different asthma inhailers, 3 months of antihystomines along with any medication that my have been issued on a prescription rather than bought over the counter.

______________________________________________________________
As for things hidden in suitcases without your knowledge.

In 1998 we lost a hairbrush while on holiday. A minor item but one that we did turn the place upsidedown looking for including empting all the bags and repacking.

3 months ago we very unexpectedly found it, in a bag that in the 11 years since has been up and down to Christchurch and Wellington numerous times by both plane and train as hand luggage as well as to New Plymouth, Taupo, Hastings, Rotorua, Tauranga and even carried over Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands.

All that time that hairbrush was jammed in the lining of a pocket. If it hadn't been plastic no doubt it would have been found on one of its numberous trips through the xray or metal detector at Auckland Airport.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Magoo on January 01, 2010, 12:52:20 pm
Quote
It depends on who you are and how important you are,there's different laws for the rich and the poor.
Thats the answer Sexy.   Get on out there and make a bundle and it will be OK. (https://cdn.smfboards.com/Smileys/smf/smiley.gif)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Lovelee on January 01, 2010, 12:57:52 pm


Lovelee It depends on who you are and how important you are,there's different laws for the rich and the poor.
If your the Governator of California  and admit to smoking pot thats ok.

If your Obama, George bush, or Bill Clinton.they all admitted to smoking pot and its not a fucking problem.

So if your someone as rich as Bill Gates you can do anything you fucking wan't,

But if your a just a pot smoking mum from the suburbs and you get caught your fucked.

It just too funny and strange for me to understand ;D 

Yep - agreed.  Another reason why you see me calling for consistency.  :)


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 01:03:05 pm
Remember the Royal family made plenty of money from peddling drugs but that was ok.


Title: Re: drug possession
Post by: Im2Sexy4MyPants on January 01, 2010, 01:08:23 pm
See where old money comes from

1 The growth of the opium trade (1650-1773)
The Qing dynasty of China entered into a long decay beginning in the 1700's, beset by increasingly aggressive foreign powers that clamoured for two-way trade with China. Europeans bought porcelain, silk, spices and tea from China, but could sell little in return. The drain on silver in Europe helped strain finances already squeezed by European wide wars.

Opium itself had been manufactured in China beginning in the 15th century and was mixed with tobacco, in a process invented by the Spanish, but dominated by the Dutch by the 18th century. The imperial government prohibited the smoking of opium in 1729.

However, the British began manufacturing opium in India in quantity starting in the mid-18th century, learning the art from the Mughal state, which had traded in opium in the land trade since at least the reign of Akbar (1556-1605), and began an illegal trade of opium for gold in southern China. In 1764, when the British conquered Bengal, they began to see the potential profit in opium, which up until this point had been primarily out of Netherlands-controlled Jakarta. Profits approached 400%, and poppies grew almost anywhere.

British exports of opium skyrocketed, from an estimated 15 tons in 1720, to 75 tons in 1773, shipped in over two thousand "chests" of opium, each containing 140 pounds of opium.

2 The East India Company (1773-1833)
In 1773 the Governor-General of Bengal was granted a monopoly on the sale of opium, and abolished the old opium syndicate at Patna. For the next 50 years, opium would be a key to the British East India Company in its hold on India. Since importation of opium was illegal (the Chinese could, after all, manufacture enough for medicinal purposes themselves), the British would sell tea in Canton on credit, carrying no opium, but would instead sell off the right to smuggle the opium in at auction in Calcutta. In 1797, the company would end local Bengal purchasing agents, and would require direct sale of opium to the company by farmers.

In 1799 the Chinese Empire reaffirmed its ban on opium imports, and in 1810 the following decree was issued:

Opium has a very violent effect. When an addict smokes it, it rapidly makes him extremely excited and capable of doing anything he pleases. But before long, it kills him. Opium is a poison, undermining our good customs and morality. Its use is prohibited by law. Now the commoner, Yang, dares to bring it into the Forbidden City [i.e., Peking]. Indeed, he flouts the law! He should be turned over to the Board of Punishment, and should be tried and severely sentenced.
However, recently the purchases and eaters of opium have become numerous. Deceitful merchants buy and sell it to gain profit. The customs house at the Ch'ung-wen Gate was originally set up to supervise the collection of imports (it had no responsibility with regard to opium smuggling). If we confine our search for opium to the seaports, we fear the search will not be sufficiently thorough. We should also order the general commandant of the police and police- censors at the five gates to prohibit opium and to search for it at all gates. If they capture any violators, they should immediately punish them and should destroy the opium at once. As to Kwangtung and Fukien, the provinces from which opium comes, we order their viceroys, governors, and superintendents of the maritime customs to conduct a thorough search for opium, and cut off its supply. They should in no wise consider this order a dead letter and allow opium to be smuggled out!
(Lo-shu Fu, A Documentary Chronicle of Sino-Western relations, Vol. 1 (1966), page 380)

But to no avail, the addictive properties of the drug, the misery of the population in China, and the vast need for silver of the British Government (see gold standard) combined to press opium trade higher. In the 1820's opium trade averaged 900 tons per year from Bengal to China.

3 From the Napier Affair through the First Opium War (1834-1843)
Main article: First Opium War

In 1834, to accommodate the revocation of the East India Company's monopoly, the British sent Lord Napier to Macao. He attempted to circumvent the restrictive Canton Trade laws, which forbade direct contact with Chinese officials, and was turned away by the governor of Macao, who promptly closed trade starting on September 2nd. The British were not yet ready to force the matter, and agreed to resume trade under the old restrictions, even though Lord Napier, dying of illness, implored them to force open the port.

Within the Chinese mandrinate, there was a debate on legalizing opium trade itself, this was rejected in favor of continued restrictions. In 1838, the death penalty was imposed for native drug traffickers, which by this point the British were selling 1400 tons to China. In March of 1839, a new commissioner, Lin Zexu was appointed to control the port of Canton by the emperor. He immediately decided to enforce the imperial demand that there be a permanent halt to drug shipments into China. On March 27th, 1839, Charles Elliot, Superintendent of Trade, demanded that all British subjects turn over opium to him, to be confiscated by Commissioner Lin Zexu, amounting to nearly a year's supply of the drug. When the British refused to end the trade, Lin threatened to end all trade with Britain.

In November of 1839, Chinese patrol boats tried to stop a trading vessel under Lin's embargo of trade, and the British responded by sending warships which arrived in June of 1840.

The war was lopsidedly against the Chinese. British warships raked the coasts at will, and British troops, armed with modern muskets and cannons, were able handily defeat the Chinese forces. The British took Canton, and then sailed up the Yangtze and took the tax barges, slashing to a fraction the revenue of the imperial court in Beijing.

By 1842, the Chinese sued for peace which was concluded with the Treaty of Nanjing negotiated in August of that year, which was accepted in 1843.

See Also: Ch'ing China: The Opium Wars

http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Opium:War.htm