CO129-502-10 Macao opium traffic 6-12-1926 - 7-12-1927 — Page 116

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Customs statistics have made no distinction between the different

narcotic druge, as imports have hitherto been only for

medicinal purposes.

(2) Portugal approved the two Geneva Conferences

by law No. 1847 of March 2nd, 1926. On August 27th, 1926, the

Portuguese Government, by decree No. 12,210 issued regulations

for the traffic in drugs in Portugal and in the Asores and

Madeira Islands. The colonies, being administratively autonomus,

were free to follow the mother country or not as regards these

questions, and this accounts for the lack of special measures,

for which, moreover, there was no urgent necessity.

In order to put an end to this state of affairs a decree

will shortly be issued regulating the traffic in drugs in the

Portuguese colonies on the lines laid down at Geneva.

Law 1,687 of August 6th 1923 and the regulations of

December 9th, 1924, as approved by decree No. 10,375 (Diario do

Governo, Series No. 274 of December 9th, 1924) not having

established adequate penalties, a decree was issued on August 27th,

providing:

(1) that the import and export of drugs shall be

restricted;

(2) that i ports and exports shall be confined to

medicel and scientific uses;

(3) that the Government shall issue the necessary

certificates at the request of the countries

of origin;

(4) that hereafter only persons authorised by the

public health authorities shall import drugs;

(5) that proof shall first be established of the need

for the quantities to be imported;

(6) that in the case of each purchase a statement shall

be made showing the manufacturer, the customs

office, the manner of importation and the origin

of /