Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73not60
§312a Revocation of Operator’s License Used in Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substances
Title 47 › Chapter 5— WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter III— SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RADIO › Part I— General Provisions › § 312a
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission can cancel any person’s operator license issued under the Communications Act of 1934 if that person intentionally uses the license to distribute or help distribute illegal drugs. The FCC can help federal law enforcement, when asked, to stop illegal drug distribution using communications equipment under its control.
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 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60