Jun 4, 2025

Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act

If you’re facing charges under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, you’re looking at mandatory minimum sentences of 5 to 10 years in federal prison – and that’s just the start of your legal troubles. This is a serious drug law act. The federal government has unlimited resources– and they’re using them to prosecute you. Federal conviction rates exceed 95%, and in maritime drug cases, the penalties can reach life imprisonment. Every hour matters in federal MDLEA cases.

At Spodek Law Group – we understand what you’re facing, and we get it – we’re here to help you. We’re not your average federal criminal defense law firm. We’re a top rated, premier criminal defense firm with over 50 years of combined experience handling the toughest federal drug cases. Todd Spodek, our founding attorney and second-generation attorney, has handled some of the most complex cases in the country. You might know him from Netflix – he represented Anna Delvey (also known as Anna Sorokin) in that high-profile case. But more importantly, he’s won federal drug cases that other attorneys said were impossible.

Understanding the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA)

The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act is a real serious act. Enacted in 1986 as part of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, this federal law gives the United States jurisdiction to prosecute drug crimes on vessels – even in international waters. If you’re caught with drugs on a boat, regardless of where that boat is located, you can face federal charges in the United States on a federal level. The Coast Guard is an extremely powerful government group – they seized over 1,100 metric tons of cocaine between 2015 and 2020.

You don’t understand federal sentencing guidelines. You don’t know mandatory minimums. This knowledge gap will hurt you and that’s why you need a criminal defense law firm like the Spodek Law Group. Here’s what you’re really facing:

• Trafficking larger amounts: Mandatory minimums of 5 or 10 years in prison
• If injury or death occurs: Mandatory minimums go up to 20 years
• Maximum sentence: Life in prison
• Simple possession: Civil fines of $5,000 per offense

Most people in your situation try to explain their way out. That’s how they end up convicted. The federal prosecutors – and the DOJ – are watching. They have evidence you don’t even know about yet.

What Makes MDLEA Cases Different – And Why You Need a Top Rated Attorney

Maritime drug cases aren’t like state court drug cases. They’re federal. There’s a difference – a big difference. The MDLEA applies to “covered vessels,” which includes vessels of the United States, stateless vessels, and vessels registered in foreign nations that have consented to U.S. jurisdiction. If you were on international waters, in a go-fast vessel, or a semi-submersible – you’re in serious trouble.

Our attorneys, at Spodek Law Group know how to fight these cases nationwide. We’ve handled drug cases nationwide – coast to coast. We’re available 24/7 because federal investigations move fast. By the time you receive a target letter, they’ve been investigating for months. We have argued complex jurisdictional issues, challenged the vessel’s status, and won cases other attorneys thought were hopeless.

Recent MDLEA Prosecutions and Conviction Rates

The numbers don’t lie. Federal drug law violators face a 76% conviction rate, with 55% receiving incarceration. In 2021 alone, there were 296 MDLEA cases prosecuted. Just this year, six leaders of a transnational maritime drug trafficking organization were indicted in Brooklyn for distributing multi-ton quantities of cocaine.

You’re facing 10-20 years. That’s not a theory. That’s the sentencing guideline for your alleged crimes. Recent cases show the government isn’t playing around:

• In Virginia, two Nicaraguan nationals were convicted for possession with intent to distribute over two tons of marijuana on the high seas
• Defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years to life in prison
• The Coast Guard is seizing more drugs than all other American law enforcement agencies combined

Defense Strategies That Actually Work – From a Premier Defense Law Firm

At Spodek Law Group, we don’t just file motions and hope for the best. We fight. We get it – your freedom is on the line. Our top rated attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience developing defense strategies that work. Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors, we focus on YOU.

Challenging Jurisdiction
The MDLEA’s jurisdiction is expansive, but it’s not unlimited. We’ve successfully argued that the government lacked jurisdiction When the vessel’s nationality status is unclear. Recent court decisions have found constitutional issues with applying the MDLEA to vessels whose nationality claims were neither confirmed nor denied.

Lack of Knowledge or Intent
You need an attorney who understands that willful intent is a critical element. We can show you were unaware of the drugs on the vessel, or did not knowingly participate in drug-related activities. Many of our clients are fishermen who got caught up in something bigger – we know how to tell your story.

Duress or Necessity
If you were forced to engage in drug-related activities due to threats of harm or coercion – we can help. Our attorneys know how to demonstrate that you had a reasonable belief you faced imminent harm, and had no viable alternative.

Constitutional Challenges
The Second Circuit and other courts have been grappling with Due Process challenges to the MDLEA. We stay on top of every development that could help your case.

Why Spodek Law Group – The Best Possible Legal Representation

We’re not a mill. Many law firms are “mills” and take on every single client. Not us. We focus on only working with clients who we can truly help. Todd Spodek is a second-generation attorney who’s been featured on major media outlets like NY Post, Newsweek, Fox 5, Business Insider, Bloomberg, and others. In 2022, Netflix released a special TV series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey.

But celebrity cases aren’t what matter – what matters is that we win tough cases. Maritime drug cases are some of the toughest cases in federal court. You need a premier law firm with:

• Over 50 years of combined experience handling complex federal crimes
• A track record of beating federal drug charges
• Attorneys who are available 24/7 – because federal cases don’t wait
• A nationwide practice – we handle cases coast to coast
• The resources to fight the federal government

We have a completely online digital portal – Unlike other law firms, we make it easy to stay updated on your case. Our white-glove service means you’re never wondering what’s happening. Our rock star team of attorneys, makes sure you understand every step of the process.

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Your Future

The U.S. Sentencing Commission is currently considering amendments to drug sentencing guidelines, but don’t count on changes to save you. Under current law, 54.6% of drug trafficking defendants face mandatory minimum penalties.

You think this is like state court. It’s not. Federal prosecutors have a 95% conviction rate. The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act doesn’t require a nexus to the United States – even if you’re a foreign national who never intended to bring drugs to America you can still be prosecuted here.

Your future is in jeopardy. Without proper representation, you’re likely to become part of that 95% statistic. The safety valve provisions might help, but only if you qualify – and most people don’t. You need an attorney who knows how to navigate these complex federal sentencing issues.

What Happens Next – And Why You Need to Act NOW

If federal authorities have come to your doorstep alleging you broke the law, you should hire an experienced federal criminal lawyer – ASAP. You don’t really have a choice – you need an attorney. Here’s what’s happening right now:

1. The government is building their case against you
2. Every day you wait, gives them more time to strengthen their position
3. Witnesses are being interviewed
4. Evidence is being analyzed
5. Your co-defendants may be cooperating

At Spodek Law Group, we get it. We understand that you’re probably terrified – and you should be. Federal drug crimes are serious business. But we’ve handled these cases before. We know what works. Our top rated, premier attorneys are ready to fight for you.

Free Consultation – Available 24/7, Nationwide

Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, know that our criminal defense attorneys can help you. Regardless of where your case is in the USA, or the situation you’re dealing with, or the stage of the case, we can help you. Regardless of how complicated your case is, or how challenging it is – we can help you get the outcome you need and want.

We offer free consultations because we believe everyone deserves to know their options. Our attorneys are available 24/7 because federal cases don’t follow business hours. We handle cases nationwide – from New York to California, coast to coast.

Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act