CBP says it seized about 3,677 pounds of drugs in a typical day in 2020. Just put them in your hand luggage and be sure to bring a copy of your prescription with you. 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. A word to the wise.. As 1,800 fans boarded the Bahamas-bound ship at its port And if anyone were to sneak a bomb onto a cruise ship the consequences would be disastrous. Glad nothing further happened to you both. I didnt have to go to the border and docustoms until later in the day. She was sentenced in November to 7 years in prison. They are looking for oblong weapons and do not specialize in finding baggies of weed. It was a helpless feeling to be honest. 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. We each got called in a couple of times to answer questions because they said thedog got a hit in the room. On February 3rd, 2109, while doing a back to back on Allure. As to the legalities, I understand it is their ship, they get to do what they want, no paperwork required. But it did make me wonder whether some of the airline employees who handle our baggage could be involved in drug smuggling. 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 . Trickie Dickie, March 30, 2019 in Royal Caribbean International. That being said, there were people vaping on every cruise we've been on. You may remember the arrest of 29-year-old Isabelle Lagace and 24-year-old Melina Roberge. You do now have quite a story about your cruise adventures! 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. 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. Such responses can help many people in the future (not just the people who cruise on one particular ship). The Maritime Executive. Local 10 News reports thata Homeland Security special agent intercepted emails from the government-issued computer of Peter Melendez, age 35, (Facebook page here), who is a government contractor at the Pentagon, andRobert Koehler, age 27, (Facebook page here), discussing their strategy to distribute the smuggled drugs to other passengers on the ship. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Drug subs are stealth vessels favored by smugglers to discreetly move tons of cocaine, marijuana . Drug Ring Used Cruise Ship Passengers As Mules to Import - Newsweek Marijuana was legalized in Alaska for private use in 2014. Customs and Border Protection officers seized bricks of cocaine weighing 69.5 pounds on a cruise ship last week, the agency said. At the back to backers meeting area we soon found out that half of them were raided as well. because I have nothing but my prescriptions. 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! A Google search will produce results. 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. 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. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. It wasnt as they targeted half the back to back Cruisers. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. It actually feels like a civil rights violation even though law permits it. 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. the worst thing to fear is bringing it on board from where ever You docks. Drug Smuggling and Liability in Commercial Shipping The hotel has a rooftop hot tub among the areas where you might enjoy your purchase. I know that I am safe from DW becoming a "drug mule". The Maritime Executive, Published Cruise ports dont have the nude body scanners that you step into and put your hand up like at airports. I have nothing to hide so I was cool as a cucumber. Archive - 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. I could of been smuggling pounds of drugs but she had absolutely no interest in me. From there you may face fines and possible jail time. I have my share of bad habits, but drugs isn't one of them..so he ran off. 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. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. Cruise Passengers Try to Smuggle Drugs on Miami Ship General Discussions Cruise ships and smuggling drugs This topic has been archived due to inactivity and closed to further replies. These tabloids reported that passengers on the Royal Caribbean ship stated that drugs on the party boat were plentiful.. All I had was prescriptionsso there was nothing of course. Overland Smuggling Into the United States. All Rights Reserved. Please leave one below or join the discussion on our Facebook page. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Ports in Mexico, the United States, Australia, the Bahamas and Bermuda are most likely to have drug dogs present. They knew who we were and where we were from. "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. Last month the CDC issued updated guidelines, allowing cruise ship operators to begin simulated voyages with volunteer passengers. Absolutely correct - as of this June, "elderly" means 87. 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. The classic method is to empty a bottle of, say, wintergreen mouthwash, sterilize the bottle with boiling water, and let it dry. 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. Cookie Policy - Everything You Should Consider When Traveling with Weed in the U.S. 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. Ask Jim a Question about Cruise Law The second clue is she didn't have room left in her luggage even for a toothbrush which led to the second clue. More than 1.3 million cruise ship passengers visited Puerto Rico in 2000, with most--1.2 million--arriving in San Juan. The majority of the suspects received misdemeanor possession and drug paraphernalia charges. Title is the question. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. It is still illegal for tourists to take the products off-site. Everything Cruise Lines Don't Want You to Know. Our room attendant told us it happens just about every week. Some shops have added loaded gelato. Just so you know they showed us no paperwork what so ever. The organization highlights that its plan will also significantly contribute to the wider UK net zero transition goals. The senior citizens posed as tourists taking cruise holidays around South America to pick up packages of the drug to bring back to Spain. A subsequent search of her cabin found pipes and other paraphernalia and cannabis oil. Expect to be detained and interviewed by Customs and Border Control when you . Police found 27 kilos (59 lbs) of pure cocaine hidden in their cabin. 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. "Exotic" port-of-call excursions that amount to a booty call with a new . Her pal and cabin-mate, former porn star Isabelle Lagace, 30, was also charged. CC Help Jenn Discussion in 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' started by Jack69123, Dec 31, 2017. Drug transporters exploit the cruise ship industry to transport drugs into and through Puerto Rico and the USVI. 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. Think long and hard about it. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. appreciated. Most of us don't understand, but I am still not sure why you choose to post this on the cruise forum? Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. passengers from two back-to-back cruises on suspicion of drug possession, including multiple individuals who were accused of intending to sell drugson board. Do Cruise Ships Check for Drugs? - Cruise Mummy At first blush, we are offended that authorities should so badly treat these "harmless" people. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. I like this site because people ask questions that are cruise-related but not always specific to just one ship. Mar 3, 2023 4:23 PM by Do you get drug tested to work on a cruise ship? Mitsui O.S.K. In addition, foreign governments at Norwegian Cruise Line ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. We have no criminal records. Published ;). Are Drugs on Cruise Ships on the Rise? The only thing sadder than the security getting on the ship is US Customs and Border Patrol during disembarkment. If my memory serves me I believe his exact words were the dog gota hitin your room,what and where isit? 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. When I hear the word "elderly," women -- or men -- in their sixties do NOT come to mind. I remember Pogo and Lil' Abner as a kid but failed to get or understand the deeper political messages they were also sending out. 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. Aug 29th, 2002, 06:46 AM. you guys remind me why I enjoy cruise critic so much. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. If you do smoke, say, on your cabin balcony, it may be your fellow cruise passengers who rat you out. Cruise officials alerted CBP officers assigned to Port Everglades seaport that a vessel inspection had found garbage bags with brick-shaped packages in a void space of the ship. Just last year, Joel Taylor, a star on the Discovery series. Ring Funneled Drugs to Bermuda in Cruise Ships, U.S. Says By We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. 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. Two Women Busted For $30 Million In Cocaine Also Took Some Great It is a legit question. Rough! 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. We plan on doing it all while on the cruise so we will not be bringing it back. "Every person and each piece of luggage will be inspected by dogs trained to detect explosives and contraband.". At page 14 of its website under Safety at Sea it states: Our new Care Team is here to help! Before they were busted with 200 pounds of blow, they instagrammed their lavish drug smuggling cruise. Convienient for the CBP. Elderly British couple who claim they were tricked into smuggling (Enrollment required for select benefits.). May 30, 2007. from California, U.S.A. Nik has been a cruise ships , he isnt worried at all about dogs. 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. Published The Maritime Executive. I took weed on one of 3 cruises and was dreading it, dreaming up all kinds of horrific scenarios. ", Published Bringing Weed on a Cruise: Everything You Need to Know - Cruise Mummy Planning a cruise? 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. "We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to prohibited items aboard our ships, within our terminals, or at our destinations," NCL said. 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 . :eek http://www.cruisejunkie.com/events2009.html. Source: National Seizure System. February 5, 2019 Update: NBC News covered the drug bust. Plenty of people smoke pot. Fri, 06/11/2021 - 12:00. They were removed at the next port and turned over to authorities. My friends and I want to bring some Coke and some Molly. Although fond of lake Erie, her first love is the sea. Privacy Policy. Cruise lines have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drugs. I had an elaborate plan to sneak on vodka in a mouthwash bottle by careful removing the safety-seal, using food coloring, and putting the seal back on. The Maritime Executive. If you're caught, the consequences could ruin your life. As long as the business is as lucrative as it is, it will continue. Gee, and people think they will get their adrenaline rushes from all the slides and ziplines and things! Try some good blotter paper. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Well, at least you had a room steward to clean up their mess. Additional consumption lounges in Alaska are in the works, including in Juneau. All of our neighbours think were druglords! I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. We cleaned up the mess as it was our stuff removed from suitcases and bags. Guest. It is the second year in a row that law enforcement personnelhave made large numbers of drug-related arrests before Holy Ship! The smugglers were arrested while disembarking the ship at the port of Valencia last Sunday, following a Transatlantic cruise from Brazil. 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. The economy is bad, but hopefully not THIS bad. Your Question 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. If you or anybody around you needs assistance or might need medical care, please simply ask them. At the pier, as you board your cruise, you may notice customs or security officials with dogs. How can you call it random when half the back to back cruisers were raided? Jim Walker graduated from law school in 1983 and has been handling maritime law cases for the past thirty-five years. The containership which was built in 2020 Copyright 2023 The Maritime Executive, LLC. I am still wondering how anyone could expect to hide over 50 pounds of cocaine in a cabin! Wow! Cruise lines also have technological means to find drugs in checked bags, though they dont publicly talk about that. The sisker method to smuggling dope onto a cruise ship. 14 Passengers Arrested for Drugs Before Rave Cruise Illegal drugs are not allowed on cruise ships. Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. I want to know when "two women in their sixties" became synonymous with "Elderly?" Mar 3, 2023 8:13 PM by My response was what does the doghit on? Eventually they left leaving us a mess. I also had a plan to sneak cans of beer in, *Notice: Edited and reposted because moderators don't appreciate it when you talk about other drugs, Copyright 1999 - 2022 Grasscity.com is a part of, (You must log in or sign up to post here. The pair face up to 12 years in prison if convicted of drugs . 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. 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. Release Date. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Wrap it in your unmentionables, and the odds of ship security discovering it are slim. Two men arrested for trying to smuggle drugs onto gay-cruise ship When the dog was allowed into the room, what did it do (other than rip things apart)? They are here to help and will provide support in a nonjudgmental manner regardless of the situation. With airline baggage limits what they are today, people started noticing she kept wearing the exact same dress throughout the whole cruise. 2 Canadian Women Accused of Smuggling $22 Million in Cocaine into In2009, a passenger died after he reportedly took drugs during a cruise aboard Royal Caribbeans Mariner of the Seas cruise ship which had been chartered for the use of Atlantis Events. 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. Check out this humorous YouTube video (it has more . EDM cruise events. But they do have walk-through metal detectors to detect any hidden weapons. 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. . Started August 27, 2021, By In years past, a limited number of attendees for the Holy Ship! Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. 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. There was a knock on our stateroom door in the earlymorning. 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. 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Roberge was nabbed in August 2016 aboard the luxury cruise ship MS Sea Princess when drug-sniffing dogs unearthed 95 kilograms (209 pounds) of cocaine spread across four suitcases in two cabins. I can't even believe someone would post this. Cruise lines use a variety of methods to search for illegal drugs including x-rays, metal detectors, scanners and sniffer dogs. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. A Portuguese court convicted Roger Clarke, 72, and his wife Sue, 71 . 11:20 AM EDT, Sun June 13, 2021. 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. As in much of life, the very few ruin things for the majority. 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. Many lines are targeting midsummer to resume cruising in US waters, provided they can meet CDC requirements. I also have many security clearances because of my former career. Clearly it can be done. Cocaine Smuggled Aboard Cruise Ship Seized at Port Everglades Reports are that the eight people disembarked the . I was in my room on the ship. It is thought the drug was collected when the cruise ship stopped in Brazil Another seven members of the ring were also arrested, including two who were to collect the drugs from the women when their ship docked in Spain, and the alleged leader of the operation who attempted to flee to Brazil. Don't forget Howland Owl, Little Grundoon (woodchuck), Seminole Sam (fox), and Sarcophagus J. Discovery Company. Due to the high cost of drinks on cruise ships, a lot of people try to speak alcohol on board. And if the drug sniffers find anything, the unaware passengers are the ones who are going to get the heat. If the cruise line suspects drug use, they will arrange additional drug tests. 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 and our 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. And I would think that would have involved more detention and an even more thorough tossing! The Spanish authorities arrested 10 guests sailing aboard the cruise ship MSC Seaside for attempting to smuggle 54 kilos of cocaine. 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. Compared to the general population, rave attendees self-report significantly higher use rates for MDMA, ketamineand other psychoactive substances. Apparently we were not singled out ashalf the back to back cruisers were raided as well. :eek . 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. Whoever it was, was covering the peep hole so we couldnt see. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Does that mean you cant smoke marijuana on your cruise vacation?