U.S. Coast Guard Fires at Engines of Fleeing Boats to Increase Jurisdiction

On September 30, 1999, a media report noted a new technique whereby the U.S. is expanding its unilateral extraterritorial jurisdiction, especially in narcotics cases: the use of small high-powered vessels and the use of helicopters with sharpshooters to fire high-caliber bullets at the engines of fleeing vessels. Both techniques have resulted in expanded seizures...[more]