by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:15 PM ET, Wed January 31, 2024
Two passengers were arrested aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship after authorities discovered 112 vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana in their luggage, reports USA Today.
The suspects, Michael Quesenberry and Savannah Rose Minami, were set to depart from Miami aboard the Norwegian Joy on Jan. 11. The ship was heading to Southampton, England.
Law enforcement officers boarded the vessel and found Quesenberry and Minami in a cabin together. Minami told officers that she’d just met Quesenberry at the bar, so they allowed her to leave the room.
They brought in a drug-sniffing dog, who gave a positive signal after inspecting Quesenberry’s luggage, which included two suitcases, a backpack and a carry-on bag. When officers opened the bags, they found 56 bags containing a leafy green substance that was later confirmed to be marijuana.
Police then tracked down Minami and searched her luggage, which also contained 56 bags of marijuana.
Together, the two suspects had 158 pounds (71.9 kilograms) of marijuana with them, according to USA Today.
“Based on my training and experience, the packaging and quantity of marijuana in the luggage belonging to each of Quesenberry and Minami is consistent with drug trafficking and distribution,” wrote Joseph Angarone, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, in an affidavit. “Further, based on my training and experience, drug traffickers are increasingly turning to exportation of marijuana from the United States to England, due to the higher price of marijuana in England.”
They were both charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, as well as possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to USA Today.
Quesenberry and Minami pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, reports Business Insider. Quesenberry was released on a $250,000 bond and Minami was released on a $150,000 bond. Both surrendered their passports.
An attorney for Quesenberry declined to comment, while an attorney for Minami did not immediately respond to interview requests.
Marijuana is prohibited aboard cruise ships and remains illegal at the federal level in the United States.
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