Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act

MDLEA

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§ 70501 – Findings and Declarations

46 U.S.C. § 70501

Congress finds and declares that

(1) trafficking in controlled substances aboard vessels is a serious international problem, is universally condemned, and presents a specific threat to the security and societal well-being of the United States and

(2) operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States.

Effect as of October 13, 2008. 

Recent Blog Posts

  • The 5th Circuit Weighs in on Determining Jurisdiction Before Change of Plea
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  • Supreme Court Denies Davila-Reyes Defendants’ Petition
  • District of Puerto Rico Addresses Jurisdiction for a Third Time in U.S. v. Thomas Chalwell
  • Happy Fourth of July!

Latest Decisions

  • United States v. Velez-Acosta, No. 22-13528, 2024 WL 806537 (11th Cir. Feb. 27, 2024)
  • U.S. v. Osvaldo Gonzalez, No. 22-cr-20350-ALTMAN, 2023 WL 4580901 (S.D.Fla. July 18, 2023)
  • U.S. v. Barbosa-Rodriguez, — F.Supp.3d —-, 2023 WL 4230143 (D.P.R. June 28, 2023)
  • U.S. v. Mariani-Romero, et al., No. 22-313 (FAB), 2022 WL 20184569 (D.P.R. June 22, 2023)
  • U.S. v. Iona-Dejesus, No. 22-20473-CR, 2023 WL 3980082 (S.D. Fla. May 4, 2023)

Disclaimer

This blog is written by an attorney employed by the U.S. Government. However, all views expressed on this website are mine and should not be construed as the views of the U.S. Government, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

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