Two passengers aboard the Norwegian Joy cruise ship operated by NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line are accused of transporting 100+ bags of marijuana.
Michael Quesenberry and Savannah Rose Minami were allegedly in possession of ~71.9 kilograms of marijuana combined during a Transatlantic voyage (RepositionCruises.com) scheduled to depart from PortMiami Florida bound for Southampton England UK on January 11, as per a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida.
Law enforcement officials found 56 vacuum-sealed bags containing a green, leafy substance in Quesenberry's luggage after a drug-sniffing dog indicated its presence. The substance subsequently tested positive for marijuana.
According to an affidavit signed by Department of Homeland Security special agent Joseph Angarone, the passenger asserted that the marijuana was for personal use and cited possession of a medical marijuana card in California.
Initially encountered together in a passenger room, Quesenberry and Minami claimed they had met at a bar on the ship, with Minami stating she was not acquainted with Quesenberry before their encounter. She was subsequently allowed to continue her activities onboard. However, following the discovery, law enforcement located Minami at a bar on the ship and conducted a search of her luggage, revealing an additional 56 vacuum-sealed bags containing a substance that later tested positive for marijuana.
For more Norwegian Joy incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.