Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1908 — New Tricks of Smugglers. [ARTICLE]

New Tricks of Smugglers.

"Diamond smugglers are a constant source of worry to us,” said the Custom House inspector. “Despite every precaution taken here and abroad to spot them, not more than ten per cent are caught with the goods. There seems to be no limit to the devilish ingenuity employed by these—l was going to say gentry—but there are quite as many women In the business as men. - “It is really wonderful when- -you come to think of it, that we are ever able to make a good haul when you consider how easily diamonds can be concealed. Hollow heels are a favorite receptacle for the precious stones, and I understand that there are places in Europe where you can buy shoes specially constructed with spaces in the heels.

“If we did not have agents in Amsterdam and other diamond center* to watch suspected smugglers and keep an eye on buyers of the precious stones wg should never make a capture. Cakes of Soap used to be a favorite medium in which to smuggle diamonds into the country, but since we got wise to that dodge it is seldom tried nowadays. Porous plasters have often concealed thousands of gems, and I suppose are still used. We can’t stop and examine every arrival into the country who wears one of these sticky attachments. “I remember ond woman, she is still ,ta the business, whd displayed great Ingenuity tn smuggling diamonds, It was only by chance that we caught her at one of her tricks. She arrived in a very striking Paris bon net. which was ornamented with bunches of grapes. While we were examining her baggage this dream of a hat blew off and was smashed by a passing truck. I rushed gallantly to recover the hat and then saw that each of the grapes contained a diamond or precious stone. She got what was left of the hat but nothing more.. “What can a man of ordinary perception do with such people? They will beat him every time unless he’s gifted with second sight. I never see a chap with long hair but I think of the day we picked ten thousand dollars’ worth of diamonds from a fellow’s head who wore a pompadour like a brush heap.

“No, we can’t keep up with all their tricks and don’t expect to. It’s th* behavior of th* smuggler that generally gives him away. When w* see a man or woman acting uneasy, nervous. betraying bis guilt by gestures, w* have him searched. One gets to know the smuggler's face after a time, and so captures are made.**