Key Aspects:
- Four Carnival Cruise Line passengers were arrested in Kings Wharf port, Bermuda.
- Bermuda Police Services said suspects were said to be carrying deadly drugs with intent to sell.
- If found guilty, the guests face severe penalties under both US and Bermudian law.
Four cruise passengers aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship were arrested in Bermuda after allegedly attempting to bring a stash of illegal drugs ashore.
According to local police, the cruise line’s onboard security detained the passengers and turned them over to authorities upon the ship’s arrival in Bermuda.
Carnival Cruise Line has several ships that regularly call in Kings Wharf, Bermuda, including Carnival Pride and Carnival Sunshine with overnight calls on the island.
But the four passengers detained spent their arrival behind bars after police confirmed the group was in possession of cannabis, THC vape pens and gummies, and a package containing carfentanyl.
The police believe the passengers planned to sell the drugs while they were in port.
Acting Detective Superintendent Derrick Burns of the Bermuda Police Service highlighted the dangers of the substances found on the passengers in a statement.
“Carfentanyl is about 100 times stronger than fentanyl and was originally used to sedate large animals like elephants,” she said.
The Bermuda Police Service says its Narcotics Unit is actively investigating the case. No further details have been issued by the police or Carnival Cruise Line.
Serious Penalties May Follow
Both US and Bermudian authorities maintain strict policies regarding the possession and transport of illegal drugs but others took to social media to complain that US Customs and Border Control should have found and seized the drugs before they left the US.
“How on earth did the US miss such a huge bust on their side?” wrote one.
Still, many praised the collaborative work of the Carnival Cruise Line crew and Bermuda authorities.
“Good job, heads up for catching these criminals,” said a Bermudian local. “We don’t want any type of drugs on this little rock. Glad they seized the drugs.”
Read Also: Bermuda Cruise Port: Docks, Getting Around and What’s Nearby
Bermuda has a zero-tolerance stance on drug importation and the cruise guests face criminal charges that can lead to heavy fines and prison time, according to the US Consulate General Bermuda.
“Many drug-related arrests of American citizen visitors are made each year, and there are several American citizens serving extensive prison sentences in Bermuda,” it said.
The detained cruise passengers are actually subject to enforcement under both jurisdictions.
In the United States, US Customs and Border Protection enforces federal laws and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act is one such law with fines up to $5 million and prison sentences from up to 20 years to life.
Carnival Cruise Line also has a zero-tolerance policy due to the federal regulations. Not only are passengers found in possession reported to authorities, but they are also removed from the ship and banned from cruise line for life.
Said the cruise line in a statement, “We follow a zero-tolerance drug policy, as we strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and we also advise our guests that they can be personally subject to local law enforcement actions.”
The passengers are also responsible for all expenses to return home with no refund for unused cruise fare.
NOTE: This article was updated to reflect that Carnival Pride was not confirmed as the ship the passenger’s were arrested from.
