United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
MSC crew members busted for drug smuggling in Miami
A group of seven crew members from MSC Seaside were recently arrested on charges of smuggling cocaine into the U.S. at PortMiami.
Customs and Border Protection discovered a total of 17 pounds of cocaine during a sweep of the ship on November 17, court filings said.
Damion Hawthorne, 32, was arrested for recruiting South African crew members Londiwe Shange, Wandile Mhlongo, Thembeka Sokhulu, and Viwe Tshaka, who picked up the drugs stash in Jamaica during a port call.
CBP officers then found 2.2 pounds of cocaine in the backpacks of Errol Roy Sutherland, and Carl Michael Smith.
Around $100,000 was also reportedly seized.
The employees had been earning about $2,000 for each drug run over the past few months, according to federal prosecutors.
All are being held on a $250,000 bond and are due to be arraigned in a Miami federal court on December 3.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel