# Law No. 4198 of January 28, 1963

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648415](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648415)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4198-of-january-28-1963

## Summary
Law No. 4198 of January 28, 1963, is a Brazilian statute that amended the composition of the National Commission for the Control of Narcotics (Comissão Nacional de Fiscalização de Entorpecentes) by adding a representative from the Ministry of Aeronautics. Enacted during the government of President João Goulart, this law reflects adjustments to Brazil’s institutional framework for narcotics regulation. It remains a documented part of Brazil’s legislative history, accessible via official government portals.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** January 28, 1963.
- **Country:** Brazil.
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 4198, de 28 de janeiro de 1963.
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, under President João Goulart.
- **Main Subject:** Increase in the number of members of the National Commission for the Control of Narcotics, specifically adding a representative from the Ministry of Aeronautics.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4198/1963.
- **Publication Date:** January 28, 1963.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-01-28;4198.
- **Work Available At:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4198.htm.
- **Wikimedia Project:** Part of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What does Law No. 4198 of 1963 regulate?**  
This law modified the structure of Brazil’s National Commission for the Control of Narcotics by including a representative from the Ministry of Aeronautics, expanding the commission’s membership to reflect interagency collaboration in drug control efforts.

**Who authorized this law?**  
The law was approved by President João Goulart, who served as the head of state during Brazil’s Fourth Republic (1961–1964). It was formally enacted through the legislative process and published in the official registry.

**Why was the Ministry of Aeronautics included?**  
The inclusion of the Ministry of Aeronautics suggests a strategic effort to integrate aviation-related oversight into narcotics control, likely addressing concerns about drug trafficking via air routes—a critical issue for Brazil’s vast territory.

**Is this law still in effect?**  
While the law remains a historical document, its current applicability would depend on subsequent legislative reforms. Brazil’s legal system has undergone significant changes since 1963, particularly following the 1988 Constitution.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4198 of 1963 matters as a historical artifact illustrating Brazil’s mid-20th-century approach to institutional governance and narcotics regulation. By expanding the National Commission’s membership, the law underscores the government’s recognition of interagency coordination as a tool for public policy. It also highlights the role of the Ministry of Aeronautics in national security efforts, reflecting broader geopolitical concerns of the era. For researchers, this statute provides insight into the administrative structures of Brazil’s Fourth Republic and the evolution of its legal framework for combating drug trafficking.

## Notable For
- **Institutional Reform:** Demonstrates adjustments to Brazil’s administrative bodies during the early 1960s.
- **Interagency Coordination:** Early example of integrating military branches (via the Ministry of Aeronautics) into civilian drug control efforts.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the politically turbulent Fourth Republic, preceding the 1964 military coup.
- **Legal Documentation:** Accessible through modern digital platforms like LexML, ensuring transparency and public access to historical legislation.

## Body

### Historical and Legislative Context
Law No. 4198 was enacted on January 28, 1963, during the presidency of João Goulart, a period marked by political instability that ultimately led to the 1964 military coup. This law amended Decree-Law No. 3,737 of 1941, which established the National Commission for the Control of Narcotics. The 1963 amendment specifically added a representative from the **Ministry of Aeronautics** to the commission, expanding its membership to include military aviation oversight—a strategic move likely tied to concerns over aerial drug trafficking routes.

### Key Provisions
- **Commission Membership:** The law increased the commission’s size by incorporating a representative from the Ministry of Aeronautics, alongside existing members from the Ministries of Health, Justice, and Foreign Affairs.
- **Purpose:** The adjustment aimed to enhance interagency collaboration in narcotics control, reflecting the government’s recognition of aviation’s role in both domestic and international drug trafficking networks.

### Impact and Significance
The inclusion of the Ministry of Aeronautics underscored Brazil’s efforts to address the logistical challenges of policing its vast borders and airspace. This legislative action predated modern counter-narcotics strategies, offering a historical perspective on the militarization of drug policy. While the law itself is a minor amendment, it contributes to the broader narrative of Brazil’s institutional responses to public health and security challenges.

### Related Entities and Relationships
- **National Commission for the Control of Narcotics:** The primary governmental body tasked with drug regulation, established by Decree-Law No. 3,737/1941.
- **Ministry of Aeronautics:** A military ministry responsible for aviation policies, whose inclusion in the commission highlighted the intersection of national security and public health.
- **President João Goulart:** His administration oversaw this legislative change amid broader political tensions, marking one of the final reforms of the Fourth Republic era.

### Accessibility and Legacy
The law is preserved in Brazil’s legal databases, including the **LexML Brazil** platform (ID: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-01-28;4198), and is accessible via the Planalto government portal. Its digital availability ensures transparency and supports historical research into Brazil’s legal evolution. As part of WikiProject Brazilian Laws, it is also a subject of scholarly and public interest in understanding the country’s legislative history.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-01-28;4198)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4198&ano=1963&data=28/01/1963&ato=b41MTQq50MVRVT51f)
3. LexML Brasil