Published May 30, 2007. from California, U.S.A. Nik has been a cruise ships , he isnt worried at all about dogs. The Maritime Executive. We have no criminal records. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is moving to expand its service to Africa. Two women in their sixties, who were chosen as "drug mules" because they were less likely to arouse the suspicion of authorities, were arrested as they prepared to disembark from a cruise ship when it docked in the port of Cadiz, south-western Spain. Two travelers from Washington D.C. were arrested on Sunday, February 3, after trying to smuggle drugs in their luggage onboard a cruise ship docked in PortMiami Florida, police said.. 35-year-old Peter Melendez and 27-year-old Robert Koehler were detained after an officer intercepted emails sent through a computer Melendez used as a government contractor. if you want to take drugs on a cruise ship, youd better make sure that you have a prescription for them. The Chesapeake Today newspaper reports that the men were planning to cruise aboard Royal Caribbeans Allure of the Seas which had been chartered to Atlantis Events for its annual gay cruise to the Caribbean. Three Canadian cruise ship passengers were charged with drug smuggling Monday, Aug. 29, after Sydney police allegedly found 95 kilograms (209 pounds) of cocaine in their cabin luggage. The Maritime Executive, Published CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Last weekend, more than a dozen passengers waiting to board an electronic dance music (EDM) cruise were arrested in Port Canaveral for alleged possession of illicit drugs. As Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." One woman was quite elderly and frail and did not appear to be very alert. She is the author of several cruise and travel books, including 100 Things To Do In Alaska Before You Die." Elderly women smuggle drugs as "mules" on cruise ship. There was widespread discussion regarding the use of drugs during Atlantis Events sponsored events.*. These are among the first places in the nation approved to cater to locals and tourists. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. An alleged drug smuggling operation onboard a cruise ship was dismantled this week after police found a stash of cocaine hidden in bowls and chip bags. We were on a cruise where it was obvious the young men in a cabin down the hall were "casual" pot smokers. At the pier, as you board your cruise, you may notice customs or security officials with dogs. For more information, please see our We were all packed as we were changing rooms that day. passengers from two back-to-back cruises on suspicion of drug possession, including multiple individuals who were accused of intending to sell drugson board. There are informants who blow the whistle on smuggling crew or passengers and dogs are not even needed. I wondered if they say that to everyone to try to get them to crack. You may have an opportunity to indulge on land. The UKs leading ports group, Associated British Ports (ABP), has unveiled an ambitious $2.4 billion green growth and sustainability plan that is designed to decarbonize operations by 2040. At the Cannabis Corner in the fishing town of Ketchikan, a small lounge is outfitted with couches, a fireplace and activities such as adult coloring books. Thank you thank you thank you and glad you enjoyed your vacation! Taking a cruise next month and preparing..I get so paranoid about this. I got excited to see the dog and started talking to him, and it took a few seconds before I realized that he was a drug dog and was sniffing my suitcase! Eventually they left leaving us a mess. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Cruises are all about drinking and I'm pretty sure they bring their own. by Drug subs are stealth vessels favored by smugglers to discreetly move tons of cocaine, marijuana . At all our parties and events youll find a team of dedicated medical professionals here to assist with absolutely anything. The news station stated that the men were arrested on charges of illegal drug trafficking with Melendez charged with intent to trafficMDMA. Find the right card for you. Drug transporters exploit the cruise ship industry to transport drugs into and through Puerto Rico and the USVI. Apr 12, 2022. "This was the largest cocaine seizure in the 230-year history of U.S. Customs and Border Protection [CBP]," said prosecutors, adding, "The sheer quantity of drugs involved in this case is . We opened the door and It was a customs search team. That being said, there were people vaping on every cruise we've been on. Now that we can't lock our bags unless we use TSA locks or cable ties, how difficult would it be to open the bags and load them with contraband at the departure city, and then have someone grab them off the carousel at the destination. MacAbre (vulture). She also admitted smuggling in the drugs, saying shed been given an ultimatum by an unnamed person to clear a $20,000 debt. However, if you want to bring medical marijuana, I recommend that you read my article about bringing marijuana on a cruise ship. appreciated. Unnamed (but picture looks like Melody, MSC Cruises) The Telegraph reports Spanish police have smashed a drug trafficking ring that used pensioners to smuggle cocaine into Europe on luxury trans-Atlantic cruise ships. A crew from US Coast Guard cutter Dependable intercept a drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2017. . This and similar tours include snacks. Last for hours sometimes days. The security people were actually running the wand up under her dress in the middle of the room where everyone was passing by. If you just want to party and have a good time, get yourself a drinks package and you can get wasted legally every day of your cruise if you want to. There was absolutely no reason to do this to us. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Yes, indeed. News Cocaine Drug Smuggling Import. The menu typically features loose grass, pre-rolled joints, hashish and some edibles such as muffins, cookies and brownies. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. The hotel has a rooftop hot tub among the areas where you might enjoy your purchase. Cocaine smuggling: The bizarre tactics used to hide drugs 16 July 2019 Polica Nacional on Twitter @policia A Colombian man was caught with cocaine under his wig at the Josep Tarradellas. Your Question Wow, I have never heard of this happening. Did you encounter any technical issues? I didnt have to go to the border and docustoms until later in the day. Has anyone cruised recently, post Covid, that would know the security around weed. Why would you smuggle alcohol onto a cruise ship? The agents are aware that dozens of people have occupied each cabin recently. A catch for cruisers is the shop is out the Tongass Highway, about 10 miles from downtown cruise piers, so you have to arrange transportation. On a much more serious note, I have always said that for every drug lord, there are hundreds or thousands of users out there. Roger and Sue Clarke, aged 72 and 71 . The drugs were seized by the ship's security and handed to the authorities at Port Everglades, Florida. All of our neighbours think were druglords! What's so unbelievable? A few years ago we were going through security at PIT and were upset to see the two wheelchair-bound ladies that were getting the full treatment. CNN A cruise ship's security services discovered 69.5 pounds of cocaine on board the vessel last week and turned over the haul to US Customs and Border Protection officers upon docking at a. I know that I am safe from DW becoming a "drug mule". Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. If you think you can cheat the system, consider that among possible charges for bringing marijuana into international waters is drug trafficking. CC Help Jenn While you may light up legally in some states and some countries its illegal to have cannabis on a cruise ship, so you cannot get high on the high seas. Its believed that these dogs can detect infected people with 97% accuracy, even in those who are asymptomatic. Yep, elderly is 15 years older than I am. cocaine from a cruise ship. This is one of the reasons DW is leaving her CBD oil at home. Once in the submarine, we found 200 sacks that contained 4,000 rectangular packages of cocaine.". They could turn You in, bring You own and have a good time, leave the locals alone . They are looking for oblong weapons and do not specialize in finding baggies of weed. You are here on vacation, and we truly want you to go home feeling rested, not exhausted.. You'll become converts. It's so common that the cruise lines explicitly state rules and consequences about bringing drinks on board with you. This story has been shared 159,956 times. The new Virgin Voyages cruise line, for instance, specifies that "all illegal drugs, non-prescribed controlled substances, medically prescribed marijuana or synthetic marijuana and CBD products are prohibited." You'll find something similar on every other cruise line website. Marijuana was legalized in Alaska for private use in 2014. One way to ensure the opportunity to smoke on your cruise vacation is to do a pre- or post-cruise stay at a cannabis-friendly hotel, assuming you are in a port city where pot is legal. ). The security woman pushed me to the side and went after my husband. Our officers strive daily developing and enhancing our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, industry partners and the citizens of our community to stop criminal activity at our borders, be it land, air or sea.. By Police said that the drug bust, worth more than three . Despite the common belief that Jamaica is a pot free-for-all, smoking in public is illegal though violations are punishable by a fine of 500 Jamaican dollars, which is about $3.50. Powered by Invision Community. From there you may face fines and possible jail time. Please leave this field empty. Pentagon contractor busted when boarding cruise with his bag of drugs to sell; used government computer for planning peddling pills. Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. Have a comment? 2 Canadian Women Accused of Smuggling $22 Million in Cocaine into Australia on Cruise Ship Over 200 pounds were seized by Australian Border Protection. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night, My first cruise to the Galapagos: The good, the bad and the absolutely adorable. Neither had I until it happened this was cruise number 28. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. The local news station reported that after both men arrived at the port, a drug sniffing canine alerted its handler to their luggage which contained MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, Viagra, Adderall and GHB. Fri, 06/11/2021 - 12:00. 11:20 AM EDT, Sun June 13, 2021. For those on land-based cruisetours, also approved was a lounge planned for the GoodSinse dispensary in Fairbanks. All of our neighbours think were druglords! The majority of the suspects received misdemeanor possession and drug paraphernalia charges. On June 6, CBP officers met the cruise ship and security team during a maintenance stop at Port Everglades, and the packages of white powder tested positive for cocaine, CBP said. group homes for adults with mental disabilities . For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, I like this site because people ask questions that are cruise-related but not always specific to just one ship. It just seemed wrong to me to be raided, accused of hiding something in the room and our dignity taking a hit without direct cause or any paperwork. Passengers Arrested Reportedly Trying to Smuggle Drugs onto Allure of the Seas for Atlantis Cruise, Atlantis Events' New Social Media Policy Misses the Mark, Six Drug-Smuggling Passengers Arrested in Santos, Brazil Preparing to Board Costa Diadema with 30 Kilos of Cocaine, Three Gangs Totaling a Dozen Guests From MSC Seaside Arrested in Two Ports for Smuggling 66 Kilos of Cocaine, Is Royal Caribbean Ready for Medical Emergencies During the Worlds Largest Gay Cruise, Another Death on a Royal Caribbean Atlantis Cruise, or join the discussion on our Facebook page, MSC Cruises Crew Member Caught Filming Women in Bathroom, Health Hazard! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Enjoy yourselves, but remember to take breaks to eat, sleep, and of course hydrate! They were removed at the next port and turned over to authorities. This has given me much relief and is exactly what I have been searching for for MONTHS. I have nothing to hide so I was cool as a cucumber. The crew is also trained to spot and report any illegal drugs. We were allowed to put on robes and we waited barefoot, under guard in the hallway (on display to the other passengers walking by) while 4 of the officers and the dog ripped our room apart. Release Date. I can't even believe someone would post this. Just my humble opinion. SwissMyst, May 13, 2010 in Holland America Line, Here is a trippy little website that reports all the bad events for different cruise ships, HAL ships included plus an "anonymous" report about South American drug lords paying "elderly women" to act as drug mules transferring drugs to Europe on cruise ships .. since they are less likely to arouse suspicion with customs authorities. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. You are right.I was offended for these ladies who I thought appeared to be quite helpless. cruise have posted advice on social media forums about the best ways to smuggle banned substances onto the ship, including MDMA and marijuana. CC Help Jenn At least I have a great story to tell now! In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. It was a helpless feeling to be honest. Glad I always take not only my walker but also rent a scooter. Apr 12, 2022 The Spanish authorities arrested 10 guests sailing aboard the cruise ship MSC Seaside for attempting to smuggle 54 kilos of cocaine. Such . As to the legalities, I understand it is their ship, they get to do what they want, no paperwork required. Expect to be detained and interviewed by Customs and Border Control when you . */A reader of this blog contacted me last week and pointed out that Atlantis Events changed it policies apparently based on last years death on the Harmony of the Seas. Does that mean you cant smoke marijuana on your cruise vacation? Cruise ships visit some states where private use of cannabis is legal including Alaska, California, Washington, Maine, Massachusetts and New York. The arrests of Mlina Roberge and Isabelle Lagace captured headlines around the world mostly because of the trove of glamour photos they had shared of . :). Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. If you plan to smoke marijuana or ingest cannabis in any form on your cruise vacation, there are a bunch of things you should know. She was sentenced in November to 7 years in prison. That said, the security teams main priority isnt to look for drugs, as they have other things to be concerned with. It is a legit question. Cookie Notice As alaw-abiding citizens andworld traveler , I just didnt feel the freedom. In the 2011 incident, Customs and Border Protection agents searched Krumholz's cabin and reportedly found more than 142 ecstasy pills, nearly 3 grams of methamphetamine, a small quantity of ketamine and about $51,000 in cash. And I would think that would have involved more detention and an even more thorough tossing! This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Last year,Storm Chasersstar Joel Taylor died of a suspected overdose on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, which had been chartered byAtlantis Events, according toTMZand otherwebsites. And I pointed out the bag they were in. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://www.cruisejunkie.com/events2009.html, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Learn more. The ultimate guide to booking cruises to Alaska, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Your cruise vacation will come to an abrupt halt. Two men reportedly trying to board the Allure of the Seasat PortMiami on Sunday were arrested by federal agents for possessionof a large quantity of drugs which they were intending to sell on the cruise ship. Trickie Dickie, March 30, 2019 in Royal Caribbean International. Published Most of us don't understand, but I am still not sure why you choose to post this on the cruise forum? Odorless,colorless, tasteless. If youre at the Ward Cove cruise pier, however, you are only about 2 miles via taxi transportation. CC Help Jenn Do Not Sell My Personal Information -, Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. Clearly they targeted the back to back cruisers. Not all cruise ports have drug dogs present. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Enrollment required. The ship was crossing the Atlantic Ocean on. I was humiliatedin front of my neighbours on the ship. Eight American cruise ship passengers were taken in to custody after they allegedly tried to leave Jamaica with US$850,000 worth of cocaine. Many lines are targeting midsummer to resume cruising in US waters, provided they can meet CDC requirements. Seven South Florida port workers have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a cocaine smuggling ring that moved drugs from cargo and cruise ships docked at . I understand at the border you have to present yourself up to scrutiny,but this was a raid in my room that I paid for. No votes so far! Mar 3, 2023 6:46 PM by Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. is an award-winning cruise journalist whose work regularly appears in Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, Afar and other travel outlets. General Discussions Cruise ships and smuggling drugs This topic has been archived due to inactivity and closed to further replies. Did they actually accuse you of hiding something, or did they say they wanted to ask further questions--i.e., suspect there might be something hidden because the dog alerted? Privacy Policy. It actually feels like a civil rights violation even though law permits it. Norwegian offshore wind service vessel company Edda Wind is making an aggressive move ordering new ships to fill a perceived gap in the market for wind commission services. Dang, to be called Elderly and a Mule in the same sentence? I want to know when "two women in their sixties" became synonymous with "Elderly?" Actually, a better question is if you noticed the dog alerting? All matters are handled in the same ethical manner as in a land-based hospital. The senior citizens posed as tourists taking cruise holidays around South America to pick up packages of the drug to bring back to Spain. There was a knock on our stateroom door in the earlymorning. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Privacy Statement - If they can take stuff out of our bags, they can also put something in. You do now have quite a story about your cruise adventures! A final note on your conviction. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. Some shops have added loaded gelato. CBP says it seized about 3,677 pounds of drugs in a typical day in 2020. Apparently we were not singled out ashalf the back to back cruisers were raided as well. ;). American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Recently, cruise lines have begun testing the use of sniffer dogs that are trained to detect passengers with COVID-19. JP Morgan's asset management arm, which owns the ship, and MSC together paid $50 million in cash and a surety bond to secure its temporary release. TPG values it at $1,600. Its also illegal to light up in any U.S. national park and for much of your cruise in the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska you are in national parkland. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Smuggling illegal recreational drugs like marijuana, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens and amphetamines on cruise ships is a serious offence and it is not something that anyone should consider doing. The humiliation was being under guard in the hallway wearing nothing but a bathrobe and bare feet. It depends on where you are cruising. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and Port Canaveral conducted inspections prior to boarding, using drug-sniffing dogs, luggage searches and other methods to detect illicit substances, resulting in multiple arrests. Was this a group traveling together? CANBERRA, Australia -- A Canadian woman broke down in tears in an Australian court on Wednesday when she was sentenced to eight years in prison for her part in an attempt to smuggle cocaine worth. I want to know when "two women in their sixties" became synonymous with "Elderly?" Published I remember thinking that if the dog actually sniffedsomething out they would know what and where. I was in the shower and my partnerwas not dressed. drugs, why do they use drugs? FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers seized 69.5 Pounds (31.5 Kilos) of cocaine discovered by the security services of a cruise ship, who handed over the contraband last week upon docking into Port Everglades. The Maritime Executive. That is calculated in my opinion. At many ports, the luggage is also checked by a sniffer dog who may be trained to detect drugs and explosives. It is still illegal for tourists to take the products off-site. Compared to the general population, rave attendees self-report significantly higher use rates for MDMA, ketamineand other psychoactive substances. Published This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Yes Victor, many passengers bring their pot on-board. I know, I know.it sounds like a plot for a TV movie, but I spend a lot of time watching "Law and Order." We also do not need to go through airport security, we just want to know how to get it aboard the ship. And the drugs that are intercepted are most times not discovered by dogs. Prior to this year's cruises, organizers posted an advisory warning aboutthe strict security measures in force at the terminal. Lunar New Year sparks China travel chaos 01:02 CNN One of the two Canadian women who documented a lavish cruise trip to Australia on Instagram as a front for smuggling cocaine has been. When authorities raided the ship upon its arrival at Packer Marine Terminal in Philadelphia on June 17, 2019, they found 20 tons of cocaine aboard. No we did not know the other people.