The Pasco Narcotics Bust
Federal agents seize a cache of drugs in a Pasco garden, highlighting the early reach of federal narcotics enforcement in Washington.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
One of the biggest dope hauls in this district in recent months was made at Pasco, Wash., when A. H. Gatens, federal narcotics agent in charge of this office, arrested Ren Wong, an American-born Chinese who served with the A.E.F., and Mack Wong, his father. Between 8,000 and 10,000 grains of cocaine, morphine and opium were uncovered in a garden at the rear of the Wong establishment in Pasco. At prevailing prices, this represents between $8,000 and $10,000.
“Between 8,000 and 10,000 grains of cocaine, morphine and opium was uncovered in a garden at the rear of the Wong establishment.”
This arrest occurred during a period of intense federal focus on narcotics that frequently intersected with discriminatory laws against Chinese immigrants. The involvement of an A.E.F. veteran highlights the complex position of immigrant families in Washington communities during the early 20th century.
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