2021 US Code
Title 46 - Shipping
Subtitle VII - Security and Drug Enforcement
Chapter 705 - Maritime Drug Law Enforcement
Sec. 70503 - Prohibited acts

Download PDF
Citation 46 U.S.C. § 70503 (2021)
Section Name §70503. Prohibited acts
Section Text

(a) Prohibitions.—While on board a covered vessel, an individual may not knowingly or intentionally—

(1) manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance;

(2) destroy (including jettisoning any item or scuttling, burning, or hastily cleaning a vessel), or attempt or conspire to destroy, property that is subject to forfeiture under section 511(a) of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 881(a)); or

(3) conceal, or attempt or conspire to conceal, more than $100,000 in currency or other monetary instruments on the person of such individual or in any conveyance, article of luggage, merchandise, or other container, or compartment of or aboard the covered vessel if that vessel is outfitted for smuggling.


(b) Extension Beyond Territorial Jurisdiction.—Subsection (a) applies even though the act is committed outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

(c) Nonapplication.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), subsection (a) does not apply to—

(A) a common or contract carrier or an employee of the carrier who possesses or distributes a controlled substance in the lawful and usual course of the carrier's business; or

(B) a public vessel of the United States or an individual on board the vessel who possesses or distributes a controlled substance in the lawful course of the individual's duties.


(2) Entered in manifest.—Paragraph (1) applies only if the controlled substance is part of the cargo entered in the vessel's manifest and is intended to be imported lawfully into the country of destination for scientific, medical, or other lawful purposes.


(d) Burden of Proof.—The United States Government is not required to negative a defense provided by subsection (c) in a complaint, information, indictment, or other pleading or in a trial or other proceeding. The burden of going forward with the evidence supporting the defense is on the person claiming its benefit.

(e) Covered Vessel Defined.—In this section the term "covered vessel" means—

(1) a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or

(2) any other vessel if the individual is a citizen of the United States or a resident alien of the United States.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, §10(2), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1687; Pub. L. 114–120, title III, §314(a), (b), (e)(1), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 59.)

Editorial Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
70503(a) 46 App.:1903(a). Pub. L. 96–350, §3(a), (e), (h), Sept. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, §3202, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–95, 3207–96, 3207–97; Pub. L. 99–640, §17, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3552, 3554; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §7402(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4483.
70503(b) 46 App.:1903(h).
70503(c) 46 App.:1903(e) (1st sentence).
70503(d) 46 App.:1903(e) (last sentence).

In subsection (a), before paragraph (1), the words "may not" are substituted for "It is unlawful for" for consistency in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b), the words "applies to" are substituted for "is intended to reach" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.


EDITORIAL NOTES AMENDMENTS

2016—Pub. L. 114–120, §314(e)(1), substituted "Prohibited acts" for "Manufacture, distribution, or possession of controlled substances on vessels" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–120, §314(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "An individual may not knowingly or intentionally manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance on board—

"(1) a vessel of the United States or a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or

"(2) any vessel if the individual is a citizen of the United States or a resident alien of the United States."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–120, §314(b), added subsec. (e).

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 46 - SHIPPING
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 46 - SHIPPING
Subtitle VII - Security and Drug Enforcement
CHAPTER 705 - MARITIME DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 70503 - Prohibited acts
Contains section 70503
Date 2021
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 3, 2022
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 94 Stat. 1160
100 Stat. 3207-95, 3552
102 Stat. 4483
120 Stat. 1687
130 Stat. 59
Public Law References Public Law 96-350, Public Law 99-570, Public Law 99-640, Public Law 100-690, Public Law 109-304, Public Law 114-120
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. United States may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.