Fight against drugs : suppression by customs administrations of illicit trafficking on the high seas. Initiative Spain

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROM (EPP-ED, FIN) making some amendments to the Spanish proposal. (Please see the document dated 19/02/04.) Parliament emphasised the need to establish operational cooperation between the competent law enforcement authorities of the Member States, including police, customs and other specialised services, aimed at combating crime committed on the high seas, on vessels flying the flag of a Member State or without nationality. Therefore, the purpose of the Convention is described as the promotion, facilitation and establishment of operational cooperation and mutual assistance between the competent authorities of the Member States in relation to the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of the offences described, committed on the high seas on vessels flying the flag of a Member State or without nationality. The full list of offences inserted by Parliament is as follows: - illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; - illicit trafficking in substances listed in tables I and II of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and intended for the illicit production of drugs (precursor substances); - illicit trafficking in weapons, components thereof, munitions and explosives; - illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiques and works of art; - illicit trafficking in hazardous and toxic waste; - illicit trafficking in nuclear materials and materials and equipment intended for the production of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons; - illicit cross-border trade in goods subject to taxation; - trafficking in human beings, and illicit trafficking in immigrants; - trafficking in stolen vehicles; - illicit trade in human organs and tissue or hormonal substances; - counterfeiting and piracy of products; - kidnapping, illegal restraint of persons and vessels and hostage-taking. Parliament also stated that the intervening State must make good any loss, injury or damage incurred by the natural or legal persons as a result of negligence or mistakes attributable to it during the course of the action taken. Finally, the European Court of Justice will have jurisdiction to rule on any dispute between Member States and the Commission regarding the interpretation or the application of the Convention.�