http://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/08/01/new-law-would-crack-down-on-narco-mariners.html
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/09/drug-runners-st/
To boost efforts to crack down on drug-sub use, Congress last night passed legislation making it illegal for anyone to operate a “stateless” mini-sub on an international voyage.
Anyone know what law they’re talking about?
When semi-submersibles are stopped at sea their crews usually scuttle them, sending boat and cocaine to the bottom in a minute or so and leaving no evidence of trafficking. Until 2008, in accordance with maritime law, the crew was rescued and, if there was no physical evidence of wrongdoing, released without criminal charges. To address this legal loophole, the US Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act was enacted in September 2008, making it a “felony for those who knowingly or intentionally operate or embark in a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) that is without nationality and that is or has navigated in international waters, with the intent to evade detection.”[21] The penalty is a prison term of up to 20 years in the U.S.[34]
The bill does not apply to flagged vessels (i.e., that have been registered with some nation). The bill grants extraterritorial jurisdiction over international waters, and also makes it illegal to lack relevant documents. Instead of an anti-narcotics operation turning into a rescue mission when the submarines are scuttled and sink, the crew can be arrested and charged.[35]
Some alleged narco sub smugglers are now facing criminal charges in USA for operating an unflagged semi-submersible.[36]
Colombia’s congress passed a law in June 2009 punishing the building of semi-submersible vessels with up to 12 years in prison, and transporting drugs in them with up to 14 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narco_submarine#Legal_situation
tusavision 2 years, 11 months ago.
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