CO129-505-11 Deleterious Drugs Ordinance 1927- proposed amendments 27-10-1927 - 9-11-1927 — Page 38

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(A) In the onse of drugs concealed in cargo,

it is shown to the satisfaction of the Court

if

(1) that the cargo was shipped in the usual

course of trade;

and

(2) that the description of the cargo given by the shipper or his agents (as evidenced by the

papers handed to the Owner or Master or otherwise)

contained no indication of the presence of the drug

and

(3) that the Owner or Master had no reasonable

ground to auspect the presence of contraband drugs;

(there would, it was sugested, be good ground for suspicion if, for example, cases were being shipped

by or on behalf of some person or firm well known

to be connected with the illicit trade); and

(4) that, due supervision was exercised and

other adequate precautions taken to prevent any tampering with the cargo while on board the vessel; (B) in the case of drugs concealed on board other-

wise than in cargo, if the Owner or Master shows that all

reasonable steps were taken

•

(1) to prevent illicit drugs being brought

on board and

(2) to discover drugs that may be concealed in

the vessel.

(It was suggested that under (B) Owners and Masters

should be required to institute special searches of the

ve asel and to employ special watchmen at the ports with a view to detecting attempts to smuggle opium or drugs on board.

If this sugestion were adopted it would presum-

ably be necessary for the master to prove that every part

of