A British couple in their seventies were arrested after authorities discovered approximately 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of cocaine in their cruise ship cabin last week.
The two passengers, aged 72 and 70, were detained on suspicion of trafficking narcotics when the ship docked in Lisbon, Portugal on December 4.
"In the cabin that was occupied by the suspects, four suitcases [were found] in whose structures was concealed a high amount of product, more specifically cocaine," Portuguese police said via The Guardian.
The couple was traveling aboard the Marco Polo cruise ship operated by British cruise line Cruise and Maritime Voyages. The ship, carrying 610 passengers and 294 crew members, departed Tilbury in Essex on November 5 en route to the West Indies and the Azores. After the pair were arrested, the Marco Polo continued on to the U.K., arriving on December 8.
"Portuguese police officials attended the Marco Polo in Lisbon on December 4 and detained two passengers who were traveling on board the Cruise and Maritime Voyages vessel," a spokesman for the cruise line confirmed in a statement via The Guardian.
"It is understood this was in connection with the suspected possession of narcotics. Cruise and Maritime Voyages is cooperating fully with the Portuguese police officials," he added, noting that the company "does not tolerate any criminal activity or anti-social behavior on board its ships."
The two suspects have appeared before a judge and are being held in custody amid a joint investigation by Portuguese and British authorities.
The incident comes nearly one year after a cruise ship passenger in New Zealand was busted with 24 kilograms (53 pounds) of cocaine. Just last month, security officials at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport discovered a suitcase containing an estimated $1.3 million worth of cocaine.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
