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 The Maritime Executive, Published 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. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. We have no criminal records. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. We all know people smuggle drugs all the time, by air, sea and land. Absolutely correct - as of this June, "elderly" means 87. the US drug habit ruins far more than our own country and the amount of money generated is a blank check for corruption at all levels. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Neither had I until it happened this was cruise number 28. 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. You don't know how much I appreciate your post! Your cruise vacation will come to an abrupt halt. # 1. 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. You may have an opportunity to indulge on land. The latest discovery comes as mass Covid-19 vaccinations have opened the door for cruise ships to test the waters. In Bermuda, the fine depends on the type of drug, but commonly ranges from $800 to $4000. Wow! With airline baggage limits what they are today, people started noticing she kept wearing the exact same dress throughout the whole cruise. 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. Such . That way, if there are any questions asked about the drugs, you can prove they you are legally allowed to take them. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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. A Warner Bros. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks -- I often go to cruisejunkie -- missed that one. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. A random check is a random check and they conduct them routinely both on ships and at the land border. Just my humble opinion. You are here on vacation, and we truly want you to go home feeling rested, not exhausted.. Pentagon contractor busted when boarding cruise with his bag of drugs to sell; used government computer for planning peddling pills. Started August 27, 2021, By I have my share of bad habits, but drugs isn't one of them..so he ran off. Ask Jim a Question about Cruise Law Her service was impeccable. But it did make me wonder whether some of the airline employees who handle our baggage could be involved in drug smuggling. It was turn around day in Miami. 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. It doesnt matter that medical marijuana is allowed in Florida, nor that you have a marijuana medical card. The Canadian women made headlines in 2017 when they were arrested and sentenced for attempting to smuggle 209 pounds of cocaine worth $21.5 million on a cruise ship during a 68-day multi-continent cruise. At the pier, as you board your cruise, you may notice customs or security officials with dogs. I like this site because people ask questions that are cruise-related but not always specific to just one ship. If any guest or crew member is caught possessing or taking drugs, they will be sent home at the next port of call. Victor. A grandmother from Georgia was caught smuggling over $300k of cocaine off a cruise ship into Bermuda. Trickie Dickie, March 30, 2019 in Royal Caribbean International. 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. Illegal drugs are not allowed on cruise ships. Odorless,colorless, tasteless. That way I can always sit and not worry abot keeling over due to the heat. These are among the first places in the nation approved to cater to locals and tourists. 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. CNNs Ryan Prior contributed to this report. Elderly British couple who claim they were tricked into smuggling cocaine on cruise ship spent 18,000 on travel in two years . "Every person and each piece of luggage will be inspected by dogs trained to detect explosives and contraband.". Leave your bong home dude and maybe you'll remember what happened on the cruise. CC Help Jenn CBP officers secured the bricks of. There are informants who blow the whistle on smuggling crew or passengers and dogs are not even needed. Good to have others who remember Walt Kelly and the Pogo gang fondly. Cruise lines say very clearly that cannabis in any form is not allowed onboard. If youre caught, the consequences could ruin your life. We were allowed to put on robes and we waited barefoot, under guard in the hallway (on display to the. I remember Pogo and Lil' Abner as a kid but failed to get or understand the deeper political messages they were also sending out. I could of been smuggling pounds of drugs but she had absolutely no interest in me. This has given me much relief and is exactly what I have been searching for for MONTHS. We are from Canada so I do not know the legalities. 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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. Plus Ups are excluded. She even popped overto visit us in our new room the following week and made sure we were okay. A final note on your conviction. 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 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. As alaw-abiding citizens andworld traveler , I just didnt feel the freedom. The only thing sadder than the security getting on the ship is US Customs and Border Patrol during disembarkment. drugs on cruises. Mar 3, 2023 4:23 PM by When I hear the word "elderly," women -- or men -- in their sixties do NOT come to mind. If you do smoke, say, on your cabin balcony, it may be your fellow cruise passengers who rat you out. 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. Find the right card for you. 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. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. 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. 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. 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 . 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. Image Credit:Atlantis Events / Royal Caribbean Cruises. Sailing ship BAE Guayas caught the low-profile . Plenty of people get high. Smuggling drugs on cruise ships forum smuggling drugs on cruise . It wasnt as they targeted half the back to back Cruisers. That is calculated in my opinion. Thank you thank you thank you and glad you enjoyed your vacation! This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. They were removed at the next port and turned over to authorities. I remember thinking that if the dog actually sniffedsomething out they would know what and where. You'll become converts. A crew from US Coast Guard cutter Dependable intercept a drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2017. . For the intent of the law you only need be within 100 miles of the border. Drug subs are stealth vessels favored by smugglers to discreetly move tons of cocaine, marijuana . 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. 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. As in much of life, the very few ruin things for the majority. If youre at the Ward Cove cruise pier, however, you are only about 2 miles via taxi transportation. 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. 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. By Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. On February 3rd, 2109, while doing a back to back on Allure. Think long and hard about it. Smoking of marijuana is a big flag on ships. Two individuals were charged with trafficking for alleged possession of larger quantities of MDMA. We plan on doing it all while on the cruise so we will not be bringing it back. But even with a prescription, some drugs like medical marijuana are still not allowed. 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. Glad I always take not only my walker but also rent a scooter. Could you please tell me how I can improve it? This information allcomes up with a passport check. I have even smelled it on a Celebrity ship. */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. A British couple could spend 12 years behind bars after Portuguese cops said they caught them smuggling 20 pounds of cocaine into Europe on a cruise ship. The Silverbow Inn in downtown Juneau, for instance, promotes on its website that guests may visit the nearby Rainforest Farms Cafe and then unwind and get an amazing night of rest during your stay at the property. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. The organization highlights that its plan will also significantly contribute to the wider UK net zero transition goals. Has anyone cruised recently, post Covid, that would know the security around weed. Once in the submarine, we found 200 sacks that contained 4,000 rectangular packages of cocaine.". Learn more. Elderly women smuggle drugs as "mules" on cruise ship. If you're caught, the consequences could ruin your life. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. On February 3rd, 2109, while doing a back to back on Allure. I haven't been on the Allure in a few years. Dang, to be called Elderly and a Mule in the same sentence? Cookie Policy - Thats when the fun ends. I want to know when "two women in their sixties" became synonymous with "Elderly?" Mar 3, 2023 6:46 PM 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. Published 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much News Cocaine Drug Smuggling Import. All Rights Reserved. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. 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. "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. Overland Smuggling Into the United States. You may remember the arrest of 29-year-old Isabelle Lagace and 24-year-old Melina Roberge. Please leave one below or join the discussion on our Facebook page. By Have you ever, while pondering the ways of the morn. Such responses can help many people in the future (not just the people who cruise on one particular ship). We cleaned up the mess as it was our stuff removed from suitcases and bags. The vessel is designed to collect debris from the waters and is part of the companys environmental efforts. Alaska has been at the forefront of a movement in the U.S. to provide places where tourists and locals can light up socially. That's right Rev. CC Help Jenn I questioned why Royal Caribbean tolerated the widespread use of drugs during Atlantis Events cruise parties. Thanks for contacting us. Our state room attendant told us that this happens just about every week. They are already there and who else can they check? 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? It's so common that the cruise lines explicitly state rules and consequences about bringing drinks on board with you. The agents are aware that dozens of people have occupied each cabin recently. Roger and Sue Clarke, both 72, were caught last year while attempting to smuggle 9kg . I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. 04-16-2013, 03:33 PM goldengrain . $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. 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. Privacy Statement - Clearly it can be done. As to the legalities, I understand it is their ship, they get to do what they want, no paperwork required. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. And I would think that would have involved more detention and an even more thorough tossing! Drug transporters exploit the cruise ship industry to transport drugs into and through Puerto Rico and the USVI. She was sentenced in November to 7 years in prison. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. A word to the wise.. As 1,800 fans boarded the Bahamas-bound ship at its port Did it target something specifically? For instance, despite efforts by Femke Halsema, mayor of Amsterdam, to ban tourists from the citys famous coffee shops, you may still legally light up in these cafe-like establishments. But the product was limited to use in private, leaving cruisers out of the picture. Smuggling drugs on cruise ships is big business. A Google search will produce results. Some cruise companies have resumed operations in other parts of the world, including MSC Cruises and Costa Cruise Lines in Europe. drugs, why do they use drugs? May 16, 2016 at 6:13 pm. A cruise you will certainly remember. ;). Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. All matters are handled in the same ethical manner as in a land-based hospital. Mar 3, 2023 8:13 PM by Wow, I have never heard of this happening. 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. EDM cruise events. Lines, best known for its fleets of dry bulkers and car carriers, has launched possibly its smallest and most unique vessel. What's so unbelievable? Cruise ship employees are drug tested before they begin working on a cruise ship and they are also subject to random drug testing. a fishing vessel intercepted by the James during its most recent . Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. Although it was quite disturbing to us on the day it happened. . You cant bring pot or edibles onto a cruise ship. A British couple have been jailed for eight years by a Portuguese court for drug smuggling on a cruise ship. 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. :rolleyes: (not really). I wondered if they say that to everyone to try to get them to crack. [Source]. Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. 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 member of an international cocaine smuggling ring, whose members used cruise ship passengers as mules to transport millions of dollars worth of drugs from . That being said, there were people vaping on every cruise we've been on. Your Question So what happens if you forget marijuana is illegal on your cruise ship and get caught? Planning a cruise? Enrollment required. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. 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. The use of older people explains why the elderly and wheelchair-bound people are often seen being frisked. LauraS Ports of call may have looser rules. Nine officers dressed in black with bullet proof vests, a ship security guard and a dog. Since my Mom still talks about the cruise they were on that ended in Ensenada Mexico where every single person's luggage was sifted through with a fine tooth comb while elderly people wilted and collapsed all over the place, I'll just predict the Mules will be caught. 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 menu typically features loose grass, pre-rolled joints, hashish and some edibles such as muffins, cookies and brownies. if you want to take drugs on a cruise ship, youd better make sure that you have a prescription for them. I know that I am safe from DW becoming a "drug mule". 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. Customs and Border Protection officers seized bricks of cocaine weighing 69.5 pounds on a cruise ship last week, the agency said. And if the drug sniffers find anything, the unaware passengers are the ones who are going to get the heat. appreciated. Jim Walker graduated from law school in 1983 and has been handling maritime law cases for the past thirty-five years. As I understand it, CBPdoes not need any type of paperwork to search at the border. CC Help Jenn 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. These tabloids reported that passengers on the Royal Caribbean ship stated that drugs on the party boat were plentiful.. May 30, 2007. from California, U.S.A. Nik has been a cruise ships , he isnt worried at all about dogs. After 28 cruises this was something new! Rough! Okay, I keep trying to talk myself down and this post helps. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. I didnt have to go to the border and docustoms until later in the day. ), Churchy LaFemme (the turtle), etc. In 2011, Steven Krumholz was arrested on an Atlantis cruise for possessing methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine and over $50,000 in cash. There was widespread discussion regarding the use of drugs during Atlantis Events sponsored 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.