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B+W photo of the Italian freighter Ida docked at Hoboken pier after charges of opium smuggling, Jan. 6, 1939.

Photograph
Black-and-white photograph of the Italian freighter Ida docked at Hoboken pier after charges of opium smuggling, January 6, 1939. 7" x 9" wide print. Photo taken by Acme Newspictures, Inc. (inkstamp credit on reverse.) Printed caption on reverse; dated file inkstamp: Ref. Dept. 1 -10 '39 N.E.A. [Newspaper Editors Association]. Text on reverse: The Italian boat "Ida" shown tied up at her pier in Hoboken, N.J. Police charge that $150,000 work of opium was smuggled in aboard her. Editors::: Please Check Wires :::::: Credit Acme 1/6/38 [sic - actually 1939] ==== While the drug raid took place at a Brooklyn dock, a secondary police action took place in Hoboken. See notes for an article about event. The S.S. Ida was in the fleet of the Italia Societa Anonima di Navigazione. ---- cargo ship / Italy / drugs / law enforcement / raid /

2014.015.0075

2014.015

Purchase

Purchase

Museum Collections.

Acme Newspictures

1939

Hoboken

7 in

9 in

Notes: United Press (UP) article published on page 1, The Daily Argus, Mount Vernon, N.Y., Friday, January 6, 1939. ==== TRAP SPRUNG ON DOPE MOB 3 Taken in New York With $150,000 in Opium NEW YORK, (UP)—Policemen, disguised as criminals and aided by Coast Guardsmen and customs agents, sprang a trap on a smuggling mob early today, captured three men and seized $150,000 worth of opium after a gun battle on the Brooklyn watenfront. One policeman was wounded. The opium was brought here on the S.S. Ida, from Italy, and was transferred in the harbor to a launch at midnight during a rain storm. The smugglers thought their own men were aboard the launch but it was manned by policemen in disguise. The climax came an hour later when the policemen took the cans of opium to the pier and kept the rendezvous with the smugglers' shore gang there to receive it. In setting the trap, the whole area had been surrounded with federal and city agents in cutters, launches and automobiles. Fifteen authorities took part in the gun battle and more than 100 shots were fired. The Ida meanwhile had proceeded to dock in Hoboken and federal agents boarded her and took off three Italian sailors. The capture had been planned elaborately, and represented fictionlike sleuthing of Detectives Everett Runey and Richard Brennan of the Brooklyn force, who heard rumors of the opium ring three months ago, volunteered, and were assigned to smash it. ==== Original or Copy: Original Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2014-12-09

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