18 U.S.C. § 1587 : US Code - Section 1587: Possession of slaves aboard vessel

Search 18 U.S.C. § 1587 : US Code - Section 1587: Possession of slaves aboard vessel

Whoever, being the captain, master, or commander of any vessel
found in any river, port, bay, harbor, or on the high seas within
the jurisdiction of the United States, or hovering off the coast
thereof, and having on board any person for the purpose of selling
such person as a slave, or with intent to land such person for such
purpose, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more
than four years, or both.