O117.2 Controlled Substances: Possession on Vessel by United States Citizen or Resident Alien
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.
- Instruction
- O117.2
- Statute
- 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a)
- Edition
- Eleventh Circuit Pattern Jury Instructions (Criminal Cases), revised July 2026
- Official source
- Official PDF, page 770
Elements
Quoted word for word from the official text. Eleventh Circuit Pattern Jury Instructions (Criminal Cases), revised July 2026.
The Defendant can be found guilty of this crime only if each of the following facts is proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
(1) the Defendant is a citizen of the United States or a resident alien of the United States and was on board any vessel;
(2) the Defendant knowingly possessed a controlled substance; and
(3) the Defendant intended to distribute the controlled substance.
Further findings
Special findings, enhancements, inferences and exceptions the instruction gives when they apply, word for word.
[The Defendant[s] [is/are] charged in the indictment with [distributing] [possessing with intent to distribute] at least [threshold(s)] of [substance(s)]. But you may find [the/any] Defendant guilty of the crime even if the amount of the controlled substance[s] for which [he/she] should be held responsible is less than [threshold(s)]. So if you find [the/any] Defendant guilty, you must also find whether the Government has proved beyond a reasonable doubt the weight of [substance(s)] the Defendant possessed and specify the amount[s] on the verdict form.]
Related practice page
Maritime Drug Smuggling Defense (46 U.S.C. § 70503)
Official source: Official PDF, page 770
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.