(1) This section applies to an Irish ship, a ship registered in a Convention state and a ship not registered in any country or territory.

(2) A person shall be guilty of an offence if, on a ship to which this section applies, wherever it may be, he -

(a) has a controlled drug in his possession, or

(b) is in any way knowingly concerned in the carrying or concealing of a controlled drug on the ship,

knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that the drug is intended to be imported or has been exported contrary to any regulations made by the Minister for Health under section 5 (1) (a) (ii) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, or the law of any state outside the State.

(3) A certificate purporting to be issued by or on behalf of the government of any state other than the State to the effect that the importation or exportation of a controlled drug is prohibited by the law of that state shall in a prosecution under this section be evidence of the matters stated in that certificate without further proof.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable -

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or