Narcotics interdiction at sea: The 1995 council of Europe agreement

This article examines, from a legal perspective, a recent Council of Europe multilateral Agreement on the interdiction of vessels engaged in drug trafficking activities in International waters. The paper notes the intimate connection between this Agreement and the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the nature and extent of the efforts made in the former to supplement and strengthen the latter. Particular attention is paid to developments relating to action against stateless vessels, measures taken at the request of the Flag State, and the central role accorded to the concept of preferential jurisdiction in instances where law enforcement activities are initiated by one party with the prior consent of the Flag State. Other issues of interest in a law of the sea context ranging from the regulation of the use of force to the payment of compensation are also addressed.