Allegedly, two cruise passengers brought over 100 bags of marijuana on board

Two passengers aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, identified as Michael Quesenberry and Savannah Rose Minami, are facing charges for allegedly bringing over 100 bags of marijuana on the line’s Norwegian Joy ship. The incident occurred during a sailing scheduled to depart from Miami to Southampton, England, on January 11, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.

Law enforcement discovered approximately 71.9 kilograms of marijuana combined in the possession of Quesenberry and Minami. The discovery was made after a drug-sniffing dog indicated the presence of a suspicious substance in Quesenberry’s luggage. Further inspection revealed 56 vacuum-sealed bags containing a “green, leafy substance,” which later tested positive for marijuana.

Quesenberry claimed that the marijuana was for personal use and asserted having a medical marijuana card in California. An affidavit signed by Department of Homeland Security special agent Joseph Angarone detailed the encounter and Quesenberry’s explanation. Both passengers were initially encountered together in a passenger room, but Minami stated that she did not know Quesenberry before meeting him at a ship bar and was allowed to continue her way.

However, after the discovery in Quesenberry’s luggage, law enforcement located Minami at a bar on board, where her luggage was searched. Similar to Quesenberry, Minami’s luggage contained 56 vacuum-sealed bags of a substance that tested positive for marijuana. The affidavit highlighted that, based on the packaging and quantity of marijuana, it is consistent with drug trafficking and distribution. Additionally, the agent mentioned that traffickers are increasingly exporting marijuana from the United States to England due to the higher price of the substance in the latter.

Quesenberry and Minami are facing charges of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. An attorney representing Quesenberry declined to provide a comment, and there was no immediate response from Norwegian Cruise Line or Minami’s attorney.

It’s important to note that while state laws regarding marijuana vary in the U.S., the substance remains illegal at the federal level, and its possession is prohibited on board cruise ships.

The incident raises concerns about the enforcement of drug laws on cruise ships and the potential for passengers to engage in illegal activities during their voyages. Cruise lines must remain vigilant in their security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers on board. Additionally, the case highlights the ongoing legal complexities surrounding marijuana use and distribution, especially in jurisdictions where state and federal laws may conflict.