Royal Caribbean Passengers Arrested at PortMiami on Drug Charges
Royal Caribbean confirmed that several prospective passengers were arrested at PortMiami on February 1 after allegedly attempting to board a cruise ship with narcotics concealed in their luggage.
According to reports from PEOPLE, five men were taken into custody by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office after a drug-sniffing canine alerted authorities to suspicious luggage at Terminal A prior to embarkation. The screening took place before passengers boarded the vessel, preventing the substances from being brought onboard.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in the investigation. Local media outlet WPLG Local 10 reported that officers discovered multiple illegal substances during the search, including methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, and GBL. Following the discovery, the five men were arrested on narcotics possession charges.
The individuals identified in the arrest were Joshua Eddy, 41; Joshua Jenkins, 39; Brad Kloha, 41; Adam Jones, 49; and Hoi Le, 51. Authorities stated that the quantity of narcotics found in Le’s luggage did not meet the threshold for federal prosecution. As a result, his case has been referred to state and local authorities, while the remaining four individuals may face federal narcotics charges.
The passengers were attempting to embark on the Symphony 2026 sailing aboard Symphony of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s largest vessels. The cruise was chartered by Atlantis Events, which markets the sailing as “The World’s Biggest Gay Festival at Sea.” The event features a full-ship charter with themed parties, live entertainment, and programming designed to attract thousands of attendees, with capacity reaching up to 5,500 guests.
Royal Caribbean has not released additional details about the incident but maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal substances onboard its ships. Like other major cruise operators, the line works closely with port authorities and federal agencies to enforce security protocols and comply with U.S. and international regulations.
Drug detection dogs, baggage screening, and cooperation with customs officials are standard procedures at major cruise ports such as PortMiami, particularly for large-capacity ships and chartered sailings. The arrests underscore the role of pre-embarkation security measures in preventing prohibited items from reaching cruise vessels.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information has been released regarding court proceedings or potential sentencing.
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