Cruise Ship Drug Busts Continue
Both Sides of the Atlantic
By Mike Groves
Last week members of the Dutch military seized 3,000 kg of marijuana from a cruise ship sailing in the North Sea near the Dutch city of Helder. The vessel, who’s name I have failed abysmally to trace, was reported to be acting suspiciously by the Dutch Coast Guard during a routine air patrol on Friday.
Dutch military police later boarded the vessel and found a large amount of marijuana, four people were later arrested. But these guys [the Dutch] really get around, last month they seized 1.32 tonnes of cocaine from a Panamanian-flagged vessel off the Dutch Antilles islands. The Dutch frigate Van Speijk discovered the cocaine wrapped in 66 individual bags and which came a day after the French also made a record 100 million dollar bust in the region. But this was not the Van Speijk biggest hual by far, in 2008 she discovered 4.2 tonnes of cocaine off the coast of Puerto Rico.
Not to be out done, as if they could be, the United States Coast Guard [USCG] intercepted nearly 1,000 pounds of Marijuana from a vessel east of Hallandale Beach, Fla on Thursday
Bad time to be a Drugs Baron if you like cruising!
Numerous drug busts take place from Europe to the United States.
By Mike Groves QGM
Cruise Bruise Security And Safety Advisor
June 7, 2010
The USCG Cutter Sitkinak intercepted their vessel after the crew of Sitkinak observed a suspicious 24-foot boat during one of their routine patrols. The crew stopped the U.S. flagged vessel about 35 miles east of Hallandale Beach and once on board they discovered the marijuana and broke the hearts of two drug dealers in the process!
The 110-foot Sitkinak is based in Miami.
In May the Coast Guard had more success when they seized almost 800 pounds of Marijuana from a 20-foot vessel traveling west from the Bahamas. This time they were tipped off regarding a suspicious vessel and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback later located and boarded the vessel. Apparently according to one press release the ‘marijuana was discovered in plain sight’. Obviously those boys were starting the party a little too early – I’m sure they will have plenty of time to reflect on that now
Bang goes someones pay day!
Break down of the plant
Two smugglers were duly detained and later offloaded from the vessel together with their 47 bricks of marijuana. The entire haul had an estimated street value of $725,000
Marijuana", or "marihuana", is a name for the drug cannabis and the form marihuana is first attested in Mexican Spanish. Although the original derivation remains unknown, some believe it may come from the Nahuatl mallihuan, meaning prisoner. Source wikipedia
The more usual international term for the drug is "cannabis" and the Bahamas is a major transit country for cocaine and marijuana bound for the U.S., from South America and the Caribbean. Although major cannabis factories have been located in the United Kingdom [I got lucky once after some Pigeons gave it away – long story] the vast majority will originate from the Caribbean. We are all aware of the cultivation and importation of Heroin from the poppy fields of Afghanistan however, I am not aware of any incidences of Heroin being located on board a cruise ship?
With the serious lack of CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks being conducted on employees of the cruise industry; well it costs money doesn’t it, and added with the number of wholly unqualified or poor security teams employed by some cruise operators, then it is no surprise that poor security breeds opportunities. Thank goodness not all security personal are found lacking! During my service at sea I was very fortunate to work with professionals time and time again, not least the countless Ex Ghurkha soldiers who were provided by Ghurkha International Group which operators out of Hong Kong.
Naturally you will not be suprised to know that it is expressly forbidden for any seafarer to bring on board any illicit or un-prescribed drugs. Some have been arrogant enough to try, one interesting case was where cocaine was hidden inside a 9Ltr Dry Powder fire extinguisher!
However no matter what security safeguards are in place on board cruise ship’s, when away from the ship, during shore leave for example, crewmembers will always remain in the unique position to be approached by unscrupulous drug dealers to transport their drugs. Promised vast amounts of money and in all probability told ‘It’s easy, you won’t get caught’, the problems can be twofold if indeed they are caught. Confiscation of the ship is also a policy adopted by some countries if a sizeable quantity is discovered onboard.
In short the potential consequences for both individuals and company can be extremely serious, with both long-term prison sentences and even the death penalty applying in an increasing number of countries in the Far and Middle East for even the smallest infringements.
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