46 U.S.C. § 70503 — Prohibited acts

(a) Knowingly or intentionally, a person may not: (1) make or distribute a controlled substance, possess one intending to make or distribute it, or put or cause it to be put aboard a covered vessel for that purpose; (2) destroy or try or agree with others to destroy forfeitable property aboard a covered vessel, including by throwing it overboard, scuttling, burning, or quickly cleaning the vessel; or (3) conceal or try or agree with others to conceal more than $100,000 in currency or monetary instruments on the person, in a conveyance, luggage, merchandise, container, or compartment on or aboard a covered vessel outfitted for smuggling. (b) These rules apply even when the conduct occurs outside United States territorial jurisdiction. (c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), they do not apply to a common or contract carrier or employee who lawfully possesses or distributes a controlled substance in the usual carrier business, or to a United States public vessel or person aboard it acting lawfully in official duties. (2) That exception applies only when the substance is cargo listed in the vessel’s manifest and intended for lawful scientific, medical, or other lawful import into the destination country. (d) The Government need not disprove this defense in its charging document or proceeding. The person claiming it must come forward with supporting evidence. (e) “Covered vessel” means a United States vessel or a vessel subject to United States jurisdiction, or any other vessel when the person is a United States citizen or resident alien.