If youre caught, the consequences could ruin your life. The security people were actually running the wand up under her dress in the middle of the room where everyone was passing by. Alaska has been at the forefront of a movement in the U.S. to provide places where tourists and locals can light up socially. I was humiliatedin front of my neighbours on the ship. 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. Just remember: No takeout is allowed. The Maritime Executive. If you or anybody around you needs assistance or might need medical care, please simply ask them. 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. Good to have others who remember Walt Kelly and the Pogo gang fondly. TPG values it at $1,600. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. And I would think that would have involved more detention and an even more thorough tossing! Many lines are targeting midsummer to resume cruising in US waters, provided they can meet CDC requirements. Cruise ships visit some states where private use of cannabis is legal including Alaska, California, Washington, Maine, Massachusetts and New York. Then fill it with alcohol and dye the liquid with green or blue food coloring. Enrollment required. I remember thinking that if the dog actually sniffedsomething out they would know what and where. Whoever it was, was covering the peep hole so we couldnt see. 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. Guest. Roger and Sue Clarke, aged 72 and 71 . In a statement, vessel operator Norwegian Cruise Lines emphasized that it does not permit illicit substances on board. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The senior citizens posed as tourists taking cruise holidays around South America to pick up packages of the drug to bring back to Spain. With airline baggage limits what they are today, people started noticing she kept wearing the exact same dress throughout the whole cruise. This information allcomes up with a passport check. Ask Jim a Question about Cruise Law Cruise authorities notified CBP investigators deployed to Port Everglades ahead of the . Release Date. All matters are handled in the same ethical manner as in a land-based hospital. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. On February 3rd, 2109, while doing a back to back on Allure. Drug subs are stealth vessels favored by smugglers to discreetly move tons of cocaine, marijuana . If any guest or crew member is caught possessing or taking drugs, they will be sent home at the next port of call. At page 14 of its website under Safety at Sea it states: Our new Care Team is here to help! Elderly women smuggle drugs as "mules" on cruise ship. Was this a group traveling together? Her service was impeccable. The humiliation was being under guard in the hallway wearing nothing but a bathrobe and bare feet. Source: National Seizure System. The on-site consumption rules are that you may buy raw or edible (containing up to 10 mg THC) cannabis products for on-site use in a lounge, located behind a secured door or in a separate building. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. 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. Thoughts and prayers for those in the path of Katarina. Hi, I'm Jenni. The other woman was also older, very large, and was wearing a dress which revealed swollen feet and legs. Published Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is moving to expand its service to Africa. The Maritime Executive. Powered by Invision Community. Victor. The only thing sadder than the security getting on the ship is US Customs and Border Patrol during disembarkment. Jim Walker graduated from law school in 1983 and has been handling maritime law cases for the past thirty-five years. You do now have quite a story about your cruise adventures! a fishing vessel intercepted by the James during its most recent . 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. Apparently we were not singled out ashalf the back to back cruisers were raided as well. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. A subsequent search of her cabin found pipes and other paraphernalia and cannabis oil. Thanks for the sarcasm Mr. Q. ButI am looking for serious answers. Please leave this field empty. Our state room attendant was a wonderful woman with a long career with Royal Caribbean. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. A three-masted training ship interdicted a drug-laden high-speed smuggling vessel off the coast of Colombia on Friday, the Ecuadorian Navy announced. Glad nothing further happened to you both. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Bottom line is not whether we enjoy it or not, just how much jail time he will serve if caught. 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. Enjoy yourselves, but remember to take breaks to eat, sleep, and of course hydrate! Learn more. Marijuana was legalized in Alaska for private use in 2014. I have my share of bad habits, but drugs isn't one of them..so he ran off. You may remember the arrest of 29-year-old Isabelle Lagace and 24-year-old Melina Roberge. Privacy Statement - Simple answer is that likely one of the back to backers was thought to have drugs, usually somone tips off the authorities, they don't just bring the dog on, so they decided to samplemore than one cabin. On February 3rd, 2109, while doing a back to back on Allure. Wow, I have never heard of this happening. For those sailing from Los Angeles, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica has a cannabis concierge as part of an arrangement with Eaze, a leading California cannabis delivery service. 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. We were allowed to put on robes and we waited barefoot, under guard in the hallway (on display to the. because I have nothing but my prescriptions. I like this site because people ask questions that are cruise-related but not always specific to just one ship. However, if you want to bring medical marijuana, I recommend that you read my article about bringing marijuana on a cruise ship. On June 6, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confiscated 32 kilograms of cocaine uncovered by security agents aboard a nameless cruise liner. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. A cruise you will certainly remember. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. That said, the security teams main priority isnt to look for drugs, as they have other things to be concerned with. Thanks for contacting us. I can't even believe someone would post this. The drug smugglers, five Brazilians and one Argentinian, were arrested at the cruise terminal in Santos, attempting to board the Costa Diadema (photo top) which was Three Gangs Totaling a Dozen Guests From MSC Seaside Arrested in Two Ports for Smuggling 66 Kilos of Cocaine By Jim Walker on April 14, 2022 Posted in Drugs Article content Recommended from Editorial . As Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." 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. It would be an interesting retrospective to read these again now as seasoned adults. Thanks -- I often go to cruisejunkie -- missed that one. The majority of the suspects received misdemeanor possession and drug paraphernalia charges. Although it was quite disturbing to us on the day it happened. At the beginning of this week, MSC kicked off its expanded service into Central Africa with the arrival of MSC Virgo (157,000 dwt) at the Port of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo. I took weed on one of 3 cruises and was dreading it, dreaming up all kinds of horrific scenarios. All Rights Reserved. Mar 3, 2023 4:23 PM by One woman was quite elderly and frail and did not appear to be very alert. If they were accusing you, I would have expected a vigorous re-search of the specific spaces where the dog alerted. 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. Discovery Company. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. She was sentenced in November to 7 years in prison. No we did not know the other people. As I understand it, CBPdoes not need any type of paperwork to search at the border. Take a night off once and a while and explore the myriad of options we have planned for you! All they do is ask for your drivers license/birth certificate/passport and then ask what you bought in Mexico (you have a limit on how much you can bring back and they want to make sure you are not trying to dodge taxes). F or many people, a big Caribbean cruise means a multi-day party on the open seas. They could turn You in, bring You own and have a good time, leave the locals alone . Wow! 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. An elderly British couple have been sentenced to eight years in prison for smuggling cocaine worth 1m on a luxury cruise ship. 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. Ports in Mexico, the United States, Australia, the Bahamas and Bermuda are most likely to have drug dogs present. ), Churchy LaFemme (the turtle), etc. The senior citizens posed as tourists taking cruise holidays around South America to pick up packages of the drug to bring back to Spain. Two individuals were charged with trafficking for alleged possession of larger quantities of MDMA. It's so common that the cruise lines explicitly state rules and consequences about bringing drinks on board with you. The CBPs Advanced Tactical Cargo Enforcement Team performed a thorough inspection of the ship and did not find any other contraband, the agency said. drugs, why do they use drugs? In years past, a limited number of attendees for the Holy Ship! If you are caught sneaking drugs onto a cruise ship you will likely be handed over to the police and you could face a harsh sentence for drug smuggling. The smugglers were arrested while disembarking the ship at the port of Valencia last Sunday, following a Transatlantic cruise from Brazil. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Did you hang out with them on the cruise? As to the legalities, I understand it is their ship, they get to do what they want, no paperwork required. And I pointed out the bag they were in. A group of guys getting back on the ship in Ochos Rios got popped with some mushrooms in April. 2 Women Arrested on Cruise Ship Over 209-Pound Cocaine Seizure Officials say the record drug haul worth $22 million dollars was found in the luggage of two women aboard a cruise ship in Australia. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. But it did make me wonder whether some of the airline employees who handle our baggage could be involved in drug smuggling. Taking a cruise next month and preparing..I get so paranoid about this. The Maritime Executive, Published Pogo the opossum in Walt Kelly's old comic strip of the same name, with Albert the Alligator, Pepe LePuew (sp? 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. Did it target something specifically? 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. Mar 3, 2023 7:55 PM by Convienient for the CBP. Think long and hard about it. Illegal drugs are not allowed on cruise ships. Officials say the record drug haul worth $22 million dollars was found in the luggage of two women aboard a cruise ship in Australia. Privacy Policy. 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. If the metal detector beeps, you may either be scanned again with a hand-held metal detector or patted down by hand. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. You say half the group of back to back cruisers were also raided,. I believe that they may do random searches from time to time so the dog may or may not have alerted on anything. But most of it will. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. The use of older people explains why the elderly and wheelchair-bound people are often seen being frisked. Cruise ports dont have the nude body scanners that you step into and put your hand up like at airports. For those who have yet to make their acquaintance hit a used book store and pick up a volume. 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. Wrap it in your unmentionables, and the odds of ship security discovering it are slim. The event's organizer discourages these discussions, and in the past it has blacklistedattendees for participating in them. In an open letter to the head of Royal Caribbean after Joel Taylor's suspected overdose, he wrote: "If three people had died from drug overdoses at a nightclub on land, that club would be shut. The menu typically features loose grass, pre-rolled joints, hashish and some edibles such as muffins, cookies and brownies. Posts: n/a. Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues - Idiot stoners' how-to-smuggle posts lead to cruise bust - OK, so this happened back in January but I haven't seen it posted here -- but I have seen posts here asking how-do-I-smuggle-contraband. I was in the shower and my partnerwas not dressed. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. Additional consumption lounges in Alaska are in the works, including in Juneau. Just last year, Joel Taylor, a star on the Discovery series. cruise have posted advice on social media forums about the best ways to smuggle banned substances onto the ship, including MDMA and marijuana. is an award-winning cruise journalist whose work regularly appears in Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, Afar and other travel outlets. In Florida we were waiting in baggage claim for a bag that did not arrive when a cute little beagle with his tail wagging ran up to me. 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. The sisker method to smuggling dope onto a cruise ship. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. The Spanish authorities arrested 10 guests sailing aboard the cruise ship MSC Seaside for attempting to smuggle 54 kilos of cocaine. Neither had I until it happened this was cruise number 28. But they do have walk-through metal detectors to detect any hidden weapons. All of our neighbours think were druglords! At the pier, as you board your cruise, you may notice customs or security officials with dogs. 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. Recently, cruise lines have begun testing the use of sniffer dogs that are trained to detect passengers with COVID-19. 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. 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 The criminal aspects of the drug smuggling attempt would be subject to the laws and jurisdiction of the country where the drugs were discovered, where the vessel and the drugs are located. Does that mean you cant smoke marijuana on your cruise vacation? 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. ", Published American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Getting Drugs on a Cruise Going on a cruise in a few weeks through carnival. 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. There are informants who blow the whistle on smuggling crew or passengers and dogs are not even needed. I questioned why Royal Caribbean tolerated the widespread use of drugs during Atlantis Events cruise parties. There were reportedly a half-dozen drug overdoses during the cruise. Source: www.thesun.co.uk. Some cruise companies have resumed operations in other parts of the world, including MSC Cruises and Costa Cruise Lines in Europe. Rough! "Forget about your right to privacy, you are passing through a port where all local and federal laws apply and are strictly enforced," the organizer's site cautioned. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 2. 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. It depends on where you are cruising. We all know people smuggle drugs all the time, by air, sea and land. Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week Ill never go on cruise again I live in legal state , leaving from NJ legal state going to a legal country Canada fk this , never again Im intractable pain patient who cant drink. Have you ever, while pondering the ways of the morn. Whoever it was, was covering the peep hole so we couldnt see. Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas Belches Soot, Fire on Viking Orion Quickly Extinguished, Atlantis Events New Social Media Policy Misses the Mark, Guest Aboard Sky Princess Alleges Park West Gallery Employee Raped and Infected Her With HIV. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Hide and Seek: How Drug Traffickers Get Creative at Sea. 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. On a much more serious note, I have always said that for every drug lord, there are hundreds or thousands of users out there. Clearly it can be done. Yes, indeed. Published the worst thing to fear is bringing it on board from where ever You docks. The pair face up to 12 years in prison if convicted of drugs . If my memory serves me I believe his exact words were the dog gota hitin your room,what and where isit? The vessel is designed to collect debris from the waters and is part of the companys environmental efforts. CBP says it seized about 3,677 pounds of drugs in a typical day in 2020. Dang, to be called Elderly and a Mule in the same sentence? LauraS The people who sell on those port calls are the narcs. Could you please tell me how I can improve it? You are here on vacation, and we truly want you to go home feeling rested, not exhausted.. Sailing ship BAE Guayas caught the low-profile . 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. I read once how a drug agent was able to target certain persons for more thorough checks upon arrival. Once in the submarine, we found 200 sacks that contained 4,000 rectangular packages of cocaine.". For more information, please see our 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.. It is still illegal for tourists to take the products off-site. You'll become converts. by 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. Aug 29th, 2002, 06:46 AM. Being on a ship in harbor counts as being at the border also. I wondered if they say that to everyone to try to get them to crack. Planning a cruise? This story has been shared 159,956 times. 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. :rolleyes: (not really). A British couple in their 70s have been jailed for eight years after trying to smuggle 1 million of cocaine into Europe on a luxury Caribbean cruise. That's right Rev. ;). The U.S. Consulate is required to be notified of your international arrest and/or your conviction. 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. Thank you thank you thank you and glad you enjoyed your vacation! My response was what does the doghit on? For the intent of the law you only need be within 100 miles of the border. Guests may request an in-room menu of hemp and cannabis products. $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. Check here before booking an award fare. "We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to prohibited items aboard our ships, within our terminals, or at our destinations," NCL said. Hmmmm, I am picturing you walking with a cane, smuggling cocaine. 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. Her excuse that she didnt realize the items were in her bags was not accepted by authorities. Seizures of cocaine aboard commercial ships and private vessels world-wide more than tripled over the past three years, to 73.2 metric tons in 2019 from 22.4 metric tons in 2017, according to . The economy is bad, but hopefully not THIS bad. Last for hours sometimes days. They are already there and who else can they check? Please leave one below or join the discussion on our Facebook page. A Google search will produce results. 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.