September 2001 Report On Aruba Cruise Ship Drug
In September 2000, USCS officers arrested two individuals with 2.7 kilograms of heroin aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Information obtained as a result of the arrest revealed a major trafficking organization. As the operation continued a number of arrests were made of individuals working aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. These couriers were smuggling heroin and cocaine in hollowed-out areas in the soles of their shoes. Based on these arrests and other investigative leads, Aruba Politie Organized Crime Unit executed the Aruba takedown of Operation Creole on June 29, 2001. The police arrested fifteen people.

The combined efforts of law enforcement during Operation Creole resulted in 34 arrests and the seizure of 29.7 kilograms of heroin, 44 kilograms of cocaine, 1 handgun, and $688,077 in U.S. Currency.

Date: August 6, 2001
Cruise Ship: Carnival Cruise Lines
Cruise Line: Destiny
Drugs: heroine + cocaine
Amount: 3 pounds
Value: $1 Million
Number Arrested: 1
Details:: Inspectors discovered the drugs during a personal search of passengers disembarking from the cruise ship Carnival cruise ship Destiny on Sunday afternoon. The drugs were concealed within the hollowed soles of their shoes

Date: July 19, 2001
Cruise Ship: Carnival Cruise Lines
Cruise Line: Imagination
Drugs: heroin and cocaine
Amount: 7 pounds heroin + 3.3 pounds cocaine
Value: $3 Million
Number Arrested: 4 female passengers
Details:: U.S. Customs inspectors and agents assigned to the Miami seaport conducted an enforcement examination of passengers and crew of the Carnival cruise ship, IMAGINATION, upon its arrival at the Port of Miami from Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Date: May 19, 2001
Cruise Ship: Disney
Cruise Line: Magic
Drugs: cocaine
Amount: 6 pounds
Value: $60,000 wholesale
Number Arrested: 3 Crew members
Details:: U.S. Customs Inspectors conducting a routine examination and processing of passengers and crew of cruise ships arriving in Port Canaveral observed three crew members disembarking from the Disney cruise ship Magic. The crew members appeared to have oddly shaped packages protruding from their pant legs, which tipped off inspectors.