Nine travelers were arrested on drug charges on February 1, 2026, as they attempted to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Miami, authorities confirmed. 

The operation took place at PortMiami’s Terminal A, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were screening luggage with the help of trained narcotics detection dogs ahead of the ship’s scheduled departure. Multiple suitcases were flagged for further inspection, leading to the discovery of various illegal controlled substances hidden inside. 

The cruise was set to depart Symphony of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International and chartered for a weeklong Atlantis Events cruise promoted as “The World’s Biggest Gay Festival at Sea.”

The voyage was scheduled to include stops in Puerto Rico and St. Maarten before returning to Miami on February 8. 

According to court records and law enforcement statements, those arrested ranged in age from 27 to 51 and were charged with possession of controlled substances including MDMA, cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine, GHB, and GBL - a chemical frequently used as a precursor to the club drug GHB. 

• All nine defendants face possession charges.
• Four individuals are additionally accused of drug trafficking.

Arrest reports show large quantities of pills and other forms of narcotics in some of the luggage, suggesting potential intent to distribute as well as personal use. 

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) Narcotics Interdiction Squad assisted CBP in the targeted enforcement action after initial indications of illegal substances during the screening. Deputies arrested and processed all nine individuals, who were later booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. 

Authorities have not released additional details about possible connections among the defendants or whether any were part of an organized smuggling attempt. 

At the time of reporting, Royal Caribbean Group and Atlantis Events had not issued official public comments on the incident or the arrests.

This incident underscores ongoing challenges in preventing illegal drugs from entering major travel hubs and highlights the role of advanced security screening in intercepting contraband before passengers board large vessels.