High seas crime squeeze

Time for a maritime law rethink?

We need a ‘high seas squeeze’ on transnational criminals

Rob McLaughlin and David Connery

The law can hinder law enforcement at sea. This situation only advantages criminals, and it’s time the international community acted.

Some examples of this problem have been highlighted recently.

Two weeks ago, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime urged action against drug smugglers who were changing their methods of moving heroin from Afghanistan into Africa.

And last week, an experienced maritime cop reminded us about the crimes taking place on the high seas: illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, illegal movement of people by sea, smuggling of everything from arms, to drugs, to wildlife.

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Source: brisbanetimes.com.au