Legal Question in Traffic Law in Portugal

Basically I asked a friend of mine if he wanted me to hide his cannabis when the police arrived at my school, he didn't want to take it off his underwear, so I told him I'd take it and hide it, he said "not unless you put it near here"... I guess I hid it a little too far, he was a bit mad and then I had to go home, so I told him I'd get it back. Well, I was on my way, picked up the drug bag from a bush and the police showed up and busted me - my friend was far away, they didn't get him. I told them it was his stuff, and I need to go to court, I think it might've surpassed the legal limit, and I don't know what's going to happen. Am I going to be charged anyway for drug possession? What if I tell the court it's his drugs? Is it my fault, since I volunteered to hide it against his will? What will happen to him, can he just deny everything? And finally, what if he admits it's his bag?


Asked on 12/09/12, 3:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
maia serrano

Good afternoon,

First i need to know a few questions:

what was the amount of drugs?

It was was hidden in many pieces or a one piece?

Did you have money with you ?

Have you ever answered for drug possession?

It have you been "consituido arguido"?

This Questions are very important to prepare your defense.

Under the laws, possession of personal amounts of any drug is no longer a crime. Instead, possession of up to a ten-day supply of any drug will be treated as an administrative matter rather than a criminal offense. Persons caught possessing drugs will have their stashes confiscated and be referred to a commission of doctors, lawyers, and social workers who will decide if they need counseling or treatment. Previously, persons caught with drugs faced up to a year in jail.

Drug trafficking remains a crime.

Portugal decriminalized drug use for personal consumption in 2001. The law makes the "consumption, acquisition, and possession of drugs for personal use" an administrative offense, and users can face mandatory drug treatment. However, trafficking in illegal drugs remains a crime in Portugal and penalties for traffickers are severe by European standards.

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Answered on 2/25/13, 10:32 am


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