Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 11th Circuit Affirms MDLEA Convictions in U.S. v. Jimenez Marin Upholding Jurisdiction Under Felonies Clause Defendants in Dávila-Reyes petition for writ of certiorari to SCOTUS The 5th Circuit Weighs in on Determining Jurisdiction Before Change of Plea Navigating Oral Claims of Nationality in the First Circuit and the Importance of Corroborating Evidence 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! Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 Proposes Changes to MDLEA United States v. Velez-Acosta, No. 22-13528, 2024 WL 806537 (11th Cir. Feb. 27, 2024) 11th Circuit addresses MDLEA jurisdiction and district court’s evidentiary decisions Florida Court Rules that MDLEA Can Snare Drug Traffickers Who Never Set Sail 11th Circuit confirms that a flag painted on the hull of a vessel is not “flying” the flag for the purpose of making a “claim of nationality or registry” under the MDLEA Changes to the Section 70502(d)(1) of the MDLEA pursuant to the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 § 70502 – Definitions § 70508 – Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality § 70507 – Forfeitures § 70506 – Penalties § 70505 – Failure to comply with international law as a defense § 70504 – Jurisdiction and Venue § 70503 – Prohibited acts § 70501 – Findings and Declarations Unpacking the First Circuit’s Ruling in United States v. Dávila-Reyes: MDLEA Challenges, International Law, and Constitutional Considerations Southern District of Florida rules government failed to establish subject-matter jurisdiction by not asking the right questions during interdiction First Circuit issues decision in United States v. Dávila-Reyes What does it mean when a vessel is outfitted for smuggling? Where are all the MDLEA posts? Southern District of Florida Court evaluates speedy trial requirement in relation to MDLEA interdictions What is hot pursuit in the maritime domain? Second Circuit rules that the MDLEA does not require a nexus for stateless vessels and that Congress did not exceed its authority under Article I of the Constitution in enacting the MDLEA Contact the MDLEA Blog Judge Besosa in the District of Puerto Rico issues two decisions concerning the Constitutionality of the MDLEA Donate Donate Simple possession of controlled substances under the MDLEA U.S. v. Osvaldo Gonzalez, No. 22-cr-20350-ALTMAN, 2023 WL 4580901 (S.D.Fla. July 18, 2023) Support, Contact, and Other Links Defendants Liable under MDLEA for Acts of Co-Conspirators Committed on High Seas When Foreign State Consents to Jurisdiction 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) Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Puerto Rico District Court Rules the Term “High Seas” Includes the EEZ of the Dominican Republic DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Agreement Concerning Maritime Counter-drug Operations (T.I.A.S. No. 12620) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Protocol to TIAS No. 12620 Concerning Maritime Counter-drug Operations (03-520.1) Maritime Treaties & Agreements Advertise on MDLEA Blog Eleventh Circuit Affirms MDLEA Jurisdiction Despite Discrepancy Between Two Coast Guard Reports Concerning a Vessel’s Nationality U.S. Government Did Not Violate Fed. R. Crim. P. Rule 5 Even Where Defendants Spent Ten Days at Sea on Three Different Ships U.S. v. Iona-Dejesus, No. 22-20473-CR, 2023 WL 3980082 (S.D. Fla. May 4, 2023) United States v. Liver Gruezo, 66 F.4th 1284 (11th Cir. 2023)