Drug bust on Majesty this morning

[bluegirlum]

I just got off Majesty this morning and someone was taken off in handcuffs! We were waiting in the dining room to self disembark and there were about 7 officers and a drug sniffing dog going through everyone waiting in the "general" line. I went to return my towels, and I saw 3 officers bring a man out of the line in handcuffs. He was cooperative. My friend said his wife was back in line with all their bags and was freaking out. They did not bring her out with him.

 

I've never seen police on a ship before so I don't know if they had a tip or this is standard for the 3 night cruise to the Bahamas. We all got sniffed again right by customs too. I got grilled by a customs agent last time I did this cruise because he was convinced that I was a drug mule--single woman traveling alone.

[chadbeck]

How do you know it was drugs? I see police come on the ships with customs every cruise so that part isn't strange. On our last cruise they removed someone from the room next to me because they had out standing warrant. Pretty common for that to happen as its easy to check and serve said warrant when you know for sure the person will be there on return.

[bluegirlum]

True, it could've been an arrest based on a warrant but why the dog? This is the first time I recall seeing a dog on a ship in my 9 cruises.

[LBumb]

i have seen dogs before in the luggage areas

[setsail]

True, it could've been an arrest based on a warrant but why the dog? This is the first time I recall seeing a dog on a ship in my 9 cruises.

 

Dogs are used around the ships all the time. They even bring them on at ports to walk the halls late, they can sniff stuff out through your cabin door. They also are used to sniff all luggage and cargo coming aboard

[bluegirlum]

i have seen dogs before in the luggage areas

 

Me too. I have never seen them on the ship--that's why I was so surprised.

[Paulxyz2004]

I´ve seen Dogs sniffing around quite a few times and sometimes at the line for the Gangway in ports of call. Those where not drug sniffing Dogs, but they where looking, ok sniffing;), for Food items not allowed to bring ashore.

[igneouss]

My understanding is that for ports in different countries you are subject to whatever border protocols that the host country deems appropriate. For the U.S., not only are you crossing the border but you are also subject to TSA regulations just like on an airline (although with different rules about what you can carry).

 

Take-a-way? You would be an idiot to carry illegal drugs on a cruise. Chances of detection seem very high. And likelyhood of various unpredictable types of searches seems high.

 

I suppose some people are tempted by easily accessible drugs in some ports... I would also note that the Customs and Border Patrol in the U.S. are pretty smart. If a cruise ship is arriving and recently stopped at some port where illegal substances are readily availble - trust me, they know it.

 

For people entering the U.S. I think some folks forget that they are passing through border control. Legally it's no different than being at an airport. If the agent is suspicious you can get any manner of attention that you might find intrusive... I have no doubt that many other countries are the same. Small coutries that rely heavily on tourism are likely easier on cruisers becasue they would hate to get a bad reputation but that logic stops at any major western country.

[Aquahound]

Me too. I have never seen them on the ship--that's why I was so surprised.

 

It's actually very common. Usually, it is very early, before you leave your cabin. Sometimes, they will walk the hallways, past everyone's doors.

 

For passengers disembarking, different dogs can be used....drug dogs, agriculture dogs, towel dogs (;)), you name it.

 

And yes, short trips to the Bahamas do warrant a little more scrutiny.

[the_journeyman]

I'm sure the 3 & 4 night Bahamas cruises are a hotspot for drugs simply because it's very easy to find weed in Nassau. I don't partake, but I remember being offered "Boat tour that come with reefer" by more than one person when walking around the port area.

 

JM

[igneouss]

I can imagine a simple scenario:

 

Person is in port. Pot is easily available. They buy a small amount and carry it around for the day. They consume the pot prior to returning to the ship. Next morning at the dock a drug sniffing dog keys on the odor retained in a backpack or clothing. Person ends up strip searched and their luggage completely dissasembled... Even though they do not actually have any pot on them...

 

This would be perfectly within the rights of the Customs and Border Patrol in the U.S.

[TEXASMUNK]

not unusual..But it did remind me of a time a little more than a year ago in Galveston, Tx. Local authorities actually needed a bus! They grabbed up a couple dozen folks off of a Carnival cruise that had outstanding warrents.

 

Guessing they did not expect to have their cruise include a tour of the local jail!

[Calico Jack Sparrow]

I can imagine a simple scenario:

 

Person is in port. Pot is easily available. They buy a small amount and carry it around for the day. They consume the pot prior to returning to the ship. Next morning at the dock a drug sniffing dog keys on the odor retained in a backpack or clothing. Person ends up strip searched and their luggage completely dissasembled... Even though they do not actually have any pot on them...

 

This would be perfectly within the rights of the Customs and Border Patrol in the U.S.

 

The drug dogs do not recognize the smell after it has been used.

Mostly the dogs at Florida ports are for sniffing out food. Can't say that there are no drug dogs, but the dogs I've encountered were produce dogs. Dogs cannot be trained for double duty. They are trained to smell one thing...either its food, or drugs but not both.

Of course, with the availability of marijuana here in the states one would question why anyone would risk bringing in back

 

I would bet money that the guy was wanted on an outstanding warrant. Seems odd that they would know to come on board and get him.

[ORANGEinINDY]

I'm sure the 3 & 4 night Bahamas cruises are a hotspot for drugs simply because it's very easy to find weed in Nassau. I don't partake, but I remember being offered "Boat tour that come with reefer" by more than one person when walking around the port area.

 

JM

And I thought they were offering a boat tour to the reefs:eek:

[ibcnusoon]

And I thought they were offering a boat tour to the reefs:eek:

 

lol.

 

I accidentally carried a banana off the ship when we ported in San Juan. There were dogs all over the place but none of them came at me and reported my wayward banana which was actually on top of my luggage, so Fido could have definitely smelt it. He must have been a drug dog and not a produce dog.

 

On another cruise, when we ported in Miami I saw a dog in the luggage area and asked if I could pet it. I was told, No. I'm guessing if I pet it the dog will lose whatever scent he was originally looking for? I didn't ask, I just nodded and walked away. lol.

[BallFour4]

Cruised on the Majesty, Rhapsody, Splendour and Freedom. Saw at least one person taken from the ship right after we returned to port every time. They got the police escort with handcuffs.

 

Another poster mentioned a possibility of a warrant, and that is correct as well. Family member is in law enforcement in Galveston, and they have access to the manifest at time of sailing and return. They call the police department where the warrant is for and ask if there is a desire to enforce, as extradition is necessary. Some departments do, some don't.

 

We did get to see a college girl taken from line in tears for a traffic warrant she ignored. Her dad made several calls, got help from a buddy and paid the fines over the phone with a credit card. The assistant DA that answered his cell phone on a Sunday had some sympathy. She cruised.

 

.

[NJcruisenewbie]

lol.

 

I accidentally carried a banana off the ship when we ported in San Juan. There were dogs all over the place but none of them came at me and reported my wayward banana which was actually on top of my luggage, so Fido could have definitely smelt it. He must have been a drug dog and not a produce dog.

 

On another cruise, when we ported in Miami I saw a dog in the luggage area and asked if I could pet it. I was told, No. I'm guessing if I pet it the dog will lose whatever scent he was originally looking for? I didn't ask, I just nodded and walked away. lol.

 

The dog was working. They get a lot of affection from their handlers but when they're on the job it's all business.

[igneouss]

The drug dogs do not recognize the smell after it has been used...

 

Are you suggesting that if you carry a baggie of pot around for a while, then remove it from your backpack, that a drug dog will not detect the residual scent later?

 

If that's what you believe then you would be wrong.

 

I've seen drug dogs do exactly that and I have also seen produce dogs do it. Dogs are remarkably sensitive detectors of scent. I think the current record for tracking a human is over 100 hours after the human passed the area. Cadaver dogs routinely key on burials that occured years earlier. Detecting residual pot odor a few hours after it's gone is nothing for a well trained dog.

 

You should try to talk with some of the handlers in airports. Residual scent is the most common hit they get. People trying to follow the rules by getting rid of the fruit from their carry on just prior to flying... Same for other controlled substances...

[Trainman-2]

The saddest thing I ever saw on a cruise was four college age kids standing at the Guest Services Desk. The two girls were crying and one of the guys was talking on the phone. Their baggage was on the floor around them and two security guys were nearby watching.

 

I was told that they were being put off the ship for drug possession and that they were calling their parents.

 

I don't recall what port it was but it was not in the US.

[Donut23]

i have seen dogs before in the luggage areas

 

 

 

 

I wonder if they are cross trained to sniff for travel irons!!!

[Aquahound]

You should try to talk with some of the handlers in airports. Residual scent is the most common hit they get. People trying to follow the rules by getting rid of the fruit from their carry on just prior to flying... Same for other controlled substances...

 

You are correct. K9s can detect residual scent up to 2 days after the possesion.

[rharvey999]

I remain amazed at how many folks continue to think that they will not be caught. Eventually it is going to catch up to you and you will end up with those silver bracelets. I know the lure can be strong but if someone insists on thinking they can fool the system time after time I lose any sympathy for their tears and fears.

[bluegirlum]

It's actually very common. Usually, it is very early, before you leave your cabin. Sometimes, they will walk the hallways, past everyone's doors.

 

For passengers disembarking, different dogs can be used....drug dogs, agriculture dogs, towel dogs (;)), you name it.

 

And yes, short trips to the Bahamas do warrant a little more scrutiny.

 

Thanks for weighing in Paul. I figured you'd be able to shed light on the reason the dogs were there. :)

 

I just assumed it was a drug dog...I can't imagine someone being taken off the ship in cuffs for having an apple in his pocket, but crazier things have happened. Also, after I was grilled by the customs agent last time I took this cruise, I figured they probably get a lot of people trying to bring drugs back. I would think you could probably find drugs here in the states and it's not worth getting stuck in jail in Miami, but it's not really my area of expertise.

 

Don't get me started on the towels...It's $25 instead of $20 now if you don't return them! :eek:

[Keith1010]

Things happen even on cruise ships.

 

Keith

[UCF_Knight]

Don't get me started on the towels...It's $25 instead of $20 now if you don't return them! :eek:

 

Not a bad return on investment for RCI. They probably get those towels for about $4 each.