Cocaine Bust Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Ship

Seven passengers of Royal Caribbean’s M/S Jewel of the Seas were arrested by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a drug bust that resulted in the seizure of 11 kilograms of cocaine Sunday in Puerto Rico.

The contraband was found by CBP officers during a cabin inspection upon arrival of the vessel. The estimated value of the seized contraband is over USD 300,000.

While performing cabin inspections, a CBP canine alerted to a piece of luggage in one of the cabins. Upon opening the suitcase, ten packages were found that subsequently tested positive to the properties of cocaine.

“San Juan Office of Field Operations has a responsibility to ensure that criminal organizations do not use lawful travel as a means to conceal and move narcotics,” said Keith McFarquhar, Acting Area Port Director for Puerto Rico.

US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents assumed custody of the seized contraband and of the cabin’s occupant for further investigation.

The ship left San Juan on Sunday for an eight-day cruise.