Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73

§312a Revocation of operator’s license used in unlawful distribution of controlled substances

Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RADIO › Part Part I— - General Provisions › § 312a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The FCC can cancel any private operator’s license given under the Communications Act of 1934 if the license was used on purpose to distribute or help distribute illegal drugs in violation of federal law. If a federal law enforcement agency asks, the FCC may also help enforce federal drug laws when communications equipment that the FCC controls under the Communications Act of 1934 is being used on purpose to distribute or help distribute illegal drugs.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §312a

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Federal Communications Commission may revoke any private operator’s license issued to any person under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) who is found to have willfully used said license for the purpose of distributing, or assisting in the distribution of, any controlled substance in violation of any provision of Federal law. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission may, upon the request of an appropriate Federal law enforcement agency, assist in the enforcement of Federal law prohibiting the use or distribution of any controlled substance where communications equipment within the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 is willfully being used for purposes of distributing, or assisting in the distribution of, any such substance.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Communications Act of 1934, referred to in text, is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, which is classified principally to this chapter (§ 151 et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, and also as part of the National Drug Interdiction Improvement Act of 1986, and not as part of the Communications Act of 1934 which comprises this chapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 312a

Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73