It is a pleasure to appear before you today on behalf of the Commandant to discuss maritime bilateral counterdrug agreements. As Assistant Commandant for Operations, I can report that these agreements are an extremely effective tool of international cooperation in maritime drug interdiction. The security of our maritime borders is a critical component of a balanced national strategy to reduce drug use and its destructive consequences. The National Drug Control Strategy recognizes this imperative and specifically tasks the Coast Guard to conduct flexible operations to detect, disrupt, deter, and seize illegal drugs in transit to the United States and at U.S. borders. The Coast Guard is further obligated to improve coordination and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts and improve bilateral and regional cooperation.
International cooperation is critical to the successful suppression of drug smuggling at sea.
In recognition of its importance, an international law framework for cooperation in combating drug flow has been developed. This framework enables prompt and effective law enforcement action with full respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and accounts for the varying operational capabilities of individual nations. The 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances recognized maritime drug trafficking as an international problem, requiring bilateral and multilateral cooperation. It urges parties of the Convention to enter into bilateral or regional agreements to facilitate or enhance cooperation. Article 17 serves as the basis for the United States' bilateral maritime counterdrug agreements.