Norwegian cruise passengers brought bags of weed on ship in transatlantic drug trafficking scheme: authorities

Authorities found the marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags in their suitcases onboard the cruise ship

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Two Norwegian Cruise Line passengers allegedly brought more than 100 bags of marijuana onboard the ship.

According to a criminal complaint from the Southern District of Florida, Michael Quesenberry and Savannah Rose Minami brought approximately 71.9 kilograms of marijuana on a ship from Miami, Florida to Southhampton, England on Jan. 11.

According to the affidavit, authorities found Quesenberry and Minami in a passenger room together and the pair claimed that they had "just met" at the cruise bar.

Authorities said that after dogs sniffed out potential contraband, they found 56 separate vacuum-sealed bags in Quesenberry's luggage.

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line says NYC reached out to house migrants on cruise ship, final deal not yet made (Getty Images)

In the vacuum-sealed bags, police found a "leafy-green substance" and quickly determined that it was illegal marijuana.

After locating Minami at the cruise ship's bar, they escorted the suspect to her room and found an additional 56 vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana.

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The Norwegian Gateway cruise ship is moored at PortMiami on January 07, 2022 in Miami, Florida.  (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In the complaint, authorities said that drug traffickers are "increasingly turning to" export drugs from the United States to England.

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"Based on my training and experience, drug traffickers are increasingly turning to the exportation of marijuana from the United States to England, due to the higher price of marijuana in England," the complaints said.

Norwegian Cruise Line

A view of Norwegian Cruise Line at the Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival presented by Capital One. (Jeff Schear/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

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The pair was charged with drug trafficking and distribution.

Norweigan Cruises did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. 

She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.

Authored by Sarah Rumpf-Whitten via FoxNews January 25th 2024