Consider the case of a Pennsylvania woman who in 2018 was found by customs officers to have two bags of pot in her purse as she boarded Royal Caribbeans Anthem of the Seas in Bermuda. Did it target something specifically? Reports are that the eight people disembarked the . In the 2011 incident, Customs and Border Protection agents searched Krumholzs 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. Privacy Policy. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. After 28 cruises this was something new! Ports in Mexico, the United States, Australia, the Bahamas and Bermuda are most likely to have drug dogs present. Clearly they targeted the back to back cruisers. Along with the organizers of the event, we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement to ensure the welfare of all guests attending the festival. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. OP, you said the dog got a hit on your room. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. In2011, a passenger, Barry Krumholz, was arrested for selling large quantities ofecstasy pills, methamphetamine, ketamine and other drugs aboard the same Royal Caribbean cruise ship,Allure of the Seas,which was involved in this latest case and had again been chartered by Atlantis Events. Dubbed the Cocaine Babe, Lagace had documented her global journey on the cruise which made stops across the US, South America and the Pacific with dozens of bikini-clad Instagram posts of her and Roberge. The crew is also trained to spot and report any illegal drugs. I remember thinking that if the dog actually sniffedsomething out they would know what and where. Hmmmm, I am picturing you walking with a cane, smuggling cocaine. Your Question Its believed that these dogs can detect infected people with 97% accuracy, even in those who are asymptomatic. Boric acid and birth control. "Exotic" port-of-call excursions that amount to a booty call with a new . The second clue is she didn't have room left in her luggage even for a toothbrush which led to the second clue. Thats when the fun ends. Mar 3, 2023 4:23 PM by :rolleyes: (not really). Learn more. You do now have quite a story about your cruise adventures! There are informants who blow the whistle on smuggling crew or passengers and dogs are not even needed. There was a knock on our stateroom door in the earlymorning. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. A few hours in New Orleans after docking Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Planning a cruise? Cruise authorities notified CBP investigators deployed to Port Everglades ahead of the . $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. 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 worst thing to fear is bringing it on board from where ever You docks. They ended up under cabin confinement with a security officer standing guard round the clock outside their door. That way, if there are any questions asked about the drugs, you can prove they you are legally allowed to take them. And a story to tell. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. She even popped overto visit us in our new room the following week and made sure we were okay. 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. Youll find something similar on every other cruise line website. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. If youre at the Ward Cove cruise pier, however, you are only about 2 miles via taxi transportation. As part of your ocean or river cruise from Amsterdam, you might consider exploring the scene on a ganja walking tour. Dang, to be called Elderly and a Mule in the same sentence? Yes, indeed. Don't forget Howland Owl, Little Grundoon (woodchuck), Seminole Sam (fox), and Sarcophagus J. Did you hang out with them on the cruise? 11:20 AM EDT, Sun June 13, 2021. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. jupiterimages A cruise passenger was arrested in St. Thomas last week after federal agents found a load of party drugs he was allegedly dealing from his cabin on a gay charter cruise on the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas A cruise passenger was arrested in St. Thomas last week after federal agents found a load of party drugs he was allegedly They knew who we were and where we were from. February 5, 2019 Update: NBC News covered the drug bust. Eight American cruise ship passengers were taken in to custody after they allegedly tried to leave Jamaica with US$850,000 worth of cocaine. 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. This type of search can occur in any port during the cruise. A Canadian woman who documented her round-the-world cruise on Instagram admitted she tried to smuggle about $30 million worth of cocaine into Australia with the help of her porn star friend and another person. The Maritime Executive, Published Most people dont realize how different being at sea is and how the combination of motion, sun, and late hours can sneak up on you. 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. A Portuguese court convicted Roger Clarke, 72, and his wife Sue, 71 . Have a comment? Roger and Sue Clarke, aged 72 and 71 . It is still illegal for tourists to take the products off-site. 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. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. 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. The economy is bad, but hopefully not THIS bad. A word to the wise.. As 1,800 fans boarded the Bahamas-bound ship at its port If you do smoke, say, on your cabin balcony, it may be your fellow cruise passengers who rat you out. Taking a cruise next month and preparing..I get so paranoid about this. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. drugs on cruises. 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. If my memory serves me I believe his exact words were the dog gota hitin your room,what and where isit? We just applied for trusted traveler status for DW and the literature makes it clear that the status does not preclude searches or other security measures including random ones. "We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to prohibited items aboard our ships, within our terminals, or at our destinations," NCL said. A member of an international cocaine smuggling ring, whose members used cruise ship passengers as mules to transport millions of dollars worth of drugs from . (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Some cruise companies have resumed operations in other parts of the world, including MSC Cruises and Costa Cruise Lines in Europe. That said, the security teams main priority isnt to look for drugs, as they have other things to be concerned with. Advertising - A crew from US Coast Guard cutter Dependable intercept a drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2017. . Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Actually, a better question is if you noticed the dog alerting? Your Email Gainfully perhaps isn't the best word to use. Find the right card for you. Sailing ship BAE Guayas caught the low-profile . A cruise ships 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 Florida port, CBP said in a statement. The other woman was also older, very large, and was wearing a dress which revealed swollen feet and legs. Get caught smuggling drugs, weapons or other illegal items onto the ship, and your glamorous cruise vacation could turn into a drawn-out stay at a local police station -- and let's just say. Aug 29th, 2002, 06:46 AM. 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. She also admitted smuggling in the drugs, saying shed been given an ultimatum by an unnamed person to clear a $20,000 debt. 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. Dont even try to bring your purchases back onto your cruise ship. F or many people, a big Caribbean cruise means a multi-day party on the open seas. 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. And the drugs that are intercepted are most times not discovered by dogs. At page 14 of its website under Safety at Sea it states: Our new Care Team is here to help! CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. I also have many security clearances because of my former career. And if anyone were to sneak a bomb onto a cruise ship the consequences would be disastrous. Some shops have added loaded gelato. :). On a much more serious note, I have always said that for every drug lord, there are hundreds or thousands of users out there. We all know people smuggle drugs all the time, by air, sea and land. Trickie Dickie, March 30, 2019 in Royal Caribbean International. Or, there may have been contraband in the room before you were there. A Canadian woman who documented her round-the-world cruise on Instagram admitted she tried to smuggle about $30 million worth of cocaine into Australia with the help of her porn star friend and. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Such responses can help many people in the future (not just the people who cruise on one particular ship). Most importantly, please look after yourselves and each other. 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. Archive - Smuggling drugs on cruise ships forum smuggling drugs on cruise . But most of it will. And I pointed out the bag they were in. 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. They said it was random. CNNs Ryan Prior contributed to this report. Once in the submarine, we found 200 sacks that contained 4,000 rectangular packages of cocaine.". Fri, 06/11/2021 - 12:00. General Discussions Cruise ships and smuggling drugs This topic has been archived due to inactivity and closed to further replies. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. By KATELYN MARMON August 31, 2016, 9:00 PM 2:18 VIDEO: 2 Women Arrested on Cruise Ship for 209 Pound Cocaine Seizure ABCNews.com The use of older people explains why the elderly and wheelchair-bound people are often seen being frisked. Not exactly. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. I will add that they were all respectful to us, even when they accused me of having "something"hidden in the room somewhere. May 30, 2007. from California, U.S.A. Nik has been a cruise ships , he isnt worried at all about dogs. 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. That being said, there were people vaping on every cruise we've been on. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Hide and Seek: How Drug Traffickers Get Creative at Sea. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. With the arrests of two cruise ship employees yesterday as their vessel docked in Manhattan, Federal law enforcement officials revealed the existence of an unusual drug ring that they said. Title is the question. I wondered if they say that to everyone to try to get them to crack. 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. You are here on vacation, and we truly want you to go home feeling rested, not exhausted.. Its important to know the cruise ship rules because violations come with stiff penalties as several cruise passengers have learned in recent years. 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. If you did nothing wrong than you have no reason at all to feel humiliated. Melina Roberge, 24, of Quebec, who pleaded guilty in Sydney court Friday, could face life in the slammer for the offense, the Toronto Star reported. Last month the CDC issued updated guidelines, allowing cruise ship operators to begin simulated voyages with volunteer passengers. Clearly it can be done. Source: www.thesun.co.uk. # 1. In years past, a limited number of attendees for the Holy Ship! Drug subs are stealth vessels favored by smugglers to discreetly move tons of cocaine, marijuana . 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. cruise have posted advice on social media forums about the best ways to smuggle banned substances onto the ship, including. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Cruises are all about drinking and I'm pretty sure they bring their own. One woman was quite elderly and frail and did not appear to be very alert. I have nothing to hide so I was cool as a cucumber. How can you call it random when half the back to back cruisers were raided? It actually feels like a civil rights violation even though law permits it. Thanks for contacting us. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. drugs, why do they use drugs? Our room attendant told us it happens just about every week. No votes so far! Article content Recommended from Editorial . Carnival Cruise Line, for example, established an amended set of rules in November 2018 that would fine passengers up to $500 for using cannabis on the ship and may even get them kicked off entirely. EDM cruise events. All Rights Reserved. A grandmother from Georgia was caught smuggling over $300k of cocaine off a cruise ship into Bermuda. The Maritime Executive. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, admitted she tried to smuggle about $30 million worth of cocaine into Australia, She was sentenced in November to 7 years in prison. Leave your bong home dude and maybe you'll remember what happened on the cruise. Lines, best known for its fleets of dry bulkers and car carriers, has launched possibly its smallest and most unique vessel. Discovery Company. If the cruise line suspects drug use, they will arrange additional drug tests. US cruises inch closer to resuming as CDC issues trial cruise guidance, This seizure is indicative of the excellent collaboration CBP has with our industry partners to detect and interdict illegal drugs being smuggled into our nation, DeFrancisci said in a statement. 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. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Alaska has been at the forefront of a movement in the U.S. to provide places where tourists and locals can light up socially. Jan 9, 2019 2:14 PM by Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. To legally explore the scene you may want to book a marijuana tour where you visit a private weed-growing plantation and sip ganja tea while enjoying ganja cake. Thanks for the sarcasm Mr. Q. ButI am looking for serious answers. :D ;). In 2010, I wrote the articleAnother Death on a Royal Caribbean Atlantis Cruiseafter a passenger died while aboard theLiberty of the Seaswhich had been chartered to Atlantis Events. That's right Rev. Release Date. :eek http://www.cruisejunkie.com/events2009.html. Glad I always take not only my walker but also rent a scooter. 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. Marijuana was legalized in Alaska for private use in 2014. CC Help Jenn Shops selling locally grown weed (and in some cases edibles) for adults age 21 and up opened around the state, including in the cruise ports of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. You are right.I was offended for these ladies who I thought appeared to be quite helpless. Thoughts and prayers for those in the path of Katarina. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Our state room attendant told us that this happens just about every week. The event's organizer discourages these discussions, and in the past it has blacklistedattendees for participating in them. Cruise ship security teams are mostly searching for alcohol and weapons. At first blush, we are offended that authorities should so badly treat these "harmless" people. The fine in the Bahamas is $500 per charge. because I have nothing but my prescriptions. CBP officers secured the bricks of. But they do have walk-through metal detectors to detect any hidden weapons. 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. Smuggling drugs on cruise ships is big business. After a drawn-out debate, and with strict rules in place, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board in August 2021 approved two venues for on-site consumption. If you want to bring prescription drugs on a cruise, thats usually fine. Enrollment required. It wasnt as they targeted half the back to back Cruisers. Absolutely correct - as of this June, "elderly" means 87. Not all cruise ports have drug dogs present. 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. 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 . Pot-smoking cruisers on Alaska sailings might want to begin or end their cruise in Seattle or Juneau, where there are also cannabis-friendly properties. 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.. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. by That way I can always sit and not worry abot keeling over due to the heat. Good to have others who remember Walt Kelly and the Pogo gang fondly. Wish we could stop the use of drugs and then it wouldn't be such a lucrative business for these scum bags of the world. The potentially "guilty" scan the crowds looking for a possible agent, instead of being like the rest of us who are merely looking for our ubiquitous black unmarked luggage among the rest of the ubiquitous black luggage. Alaska law bans consuming marijuana in public view, including while walking down the street or in city parks if you get caught you may be fined. JCSJCML Contributor Level: Captain Posted: 5 years ago | 3228 Views Cruise ships and smuggling drugs Just read this article about a large group on trial for drug smuggling on cruise ships. Discussion in 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' started by Jack69123, Dec 31, 2017. Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. Compared to the general population, rave attendees self-report significantly higher use rates for MDMA, ketamineand other psychoactive substances. Overland Smuggling Into the United States. It would be an interesting retrospective to read these again now as seasoned adults. She is the author of several cruise and travel books, including 100 Things To Do In Alaska Before You Die." She was arrested by Bermuda authorities, held in custody, pleaded guilty to four counts of drug possession, fined $4,000, which she had to pay on the spot, and eventually sent home no cruise for her. They are here to help and will provide support in a nonjudgmental manner regardless of the situation. All I had was prescriptionsso there was nothing of course. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cruise ship accidents, injuries, crimes, disappearances, fires, and collisionson the high seas involve issues of maritime law.