---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 70501"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "70501"
heading: "Findings and declarations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/70501"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Security and Drug Enforcement"
  - "Chapter 705 — Maritime Drug Law Enforcement"
---

# §70501. Findings and declarations


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](/usc/46/70502.md?p=f-2) or [semi-submersible vessel](/usc/46/70502.md?p=f-1) 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.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 10(2), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1685; Pub. L. 110–407, title II, § 201, Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4299.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 70501 | 46 App.:1902. | Pub. L. 96–350, § 2, Sept. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 1160; Pub. L. 99–307, § 7, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 447; Pub. L. 99–570, title III, § 3202, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–95; Pub. L. 99–640, § 17, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3552. |

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2008—Pub. L. 110–407 inserted cl. (1) designation after “declares that”, substituted “States and” for “States.”, and added cl. (2).