COMBATING DRUG TRAFFICKING AT SEA

• What happens when international drug cartels move their operations offshore, beyond the reach of any single state?
• Who has the authority to board, search and seize a vessel in international waters and on what legal basis?
• Can a coastal state chase a foreign ship across the high seas under the doctrine of hot pursuit?
• Do bilateral agreements and international conventions truly protect against illicit trafficking, or do they leave dangerous loopholes for criminals to exploit?
• What happens when jurisdictional conflicts between states collide with urgent security needs?

Drug trafficking by sea is not only a pressing criminal challenge but also a profound test of international law. This book dives into the conventions, doctrines, and landmark cases that shape how the world responds - from UNCLOS and the Vienna Convention to real disputes such as Arctic Sunrise and Enrica Lexie. Written for scholars, practitioners, policymakers and anyone concerned with maritime security, the book sheds light on the hidden battleground of the oceans, where law, politics and crime intersect.