Anti-Drug Measure Signed By Clinton

President Clinton signed legislation Saturday that is designed to strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to help fight illegal drugs by limiting foreign drug runners’ ability to challenge arrest at sea.

In signing the bill into law, Clinton said it makes clear that smuggling suspects arrested in international waters cannot claim immunity on the ground that their vessel was under foreign registry. The only exception is if the government involved verifies the vessel’s registry at the time it is targeted for boarding.