Three passengers were arrested at PortMiami on October 20, 2026, after authorities allegedly discovered controlled substances in their luggage as they prepared to board Norwegian Jewel.
Among those arrested was a 38-year-old orthopedic surgeon from Arizona, who now faces three felony drug charges, including trafficking. Two women from Ohio and Illinois were also charged with drug possession.
All three were booked on the same five-night adults-only cruise to the Bahamas, although investigators have not indicated that the arrests were connected.
Three Passengers Arrested During Cruise Boarding
The arrests took place at Cruise Terminal B during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operation known as “Operation Temptation.”
Officers were inspecting luggage before passengers boarded Norwegian Jewel, which was scheduled to depart Miami that afternoon. Arrest records indicate the operation involved searching bags in the terminal’s baggage area before they were loaded onto the ship.
The vessel had been chartered by Temptation Cruises for an adults-only sailing from October 20 to 25. The five-night itinerary included visits to Great Stirrup Cay, Key West, and Nassau, with themed parties, adult-oriented entertainment, and activities planned throughout the voyage.
After discovering suspected controlled substances, CBP officers transferred the cases to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Although the three passengers were attempting to board the same ship, authorities have not indicated that they knew one another or were involved in any coordinated activity.
Arizona Surgeon Faces Drug Trafficking Charges
One of the passengers arrested was Dr. Jacob Lee Henrichsen, 38, an orthopedic surgeon from Central, Arizona, who works at Mount Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, officers selected Henrichsen’s luggage for a secondary inspection and allegedly discovered several products containing suspected controlled substances inside a hard-sided case.
The items reportedly included THC gummies, white and pink capsules, pills marked with the Tesla logo, mints, lollipops, a vape pen, and two chocolate bars with mushroom-themed packaging.
Investigators reported that approximately 236 grams of gummies tested positive for THC, while nearly 11 grams of gummies, pills, and capsules tested positive for MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.
Officers also allegedly discovered two chocolate bars weighing approximately 160 grams and containing suspected controlled substances.
Henrichsen faces three felony charges, including one first-degree felony charge of MDMA trafficking and two charges involving possession of controlled substances.
His attorney, Orlando Rodriguez, has questioned how the alleged drug quantities were calculated.
During an October 21 court hearing, Rodriguez argued that the weights listed in the arrest report included the other ingredients used to make the edible products, rather than just the controlled substances.
“These are gummies that are largely sugar and water, and there are small quantities of MDMA inside of them,” Rodriguez told the court.
He argued that including the full weight of the products could exaggerate the amount of MDMA involved, which may be important when determining the appropriate charges.
A judge initially set Henrichsen’s bond at $40,000. Later court summaries listed a $10,000 bond and indicated that he had been released. His attorney has entered a not guilty plea and requested a jury trial.
Mount Graham Regional Medical Center also addressed the arrest. In a statement, the hospital’s vice president of marketing and community relations, Danny Smith, said:
“We are aware of the news of an arrest involving Dr. Henrichsen. Our leadership is taking the allegations seriously. We have no knowledge of any previous incidents of this kind.”
The hospital added that patient safety, privacy, and care remained its highest priorities, but declined to provide further details because the case involves allegations and a confidential personnel matter.
Two Other Cruise Passengers Also Charged
The same boarding operation resulted in the arrests of two women who were allegedly carrying THC products in their luggage.
Kimberly Ann Shannon, 57, of Norton, Ohio, was accused of attempting to bring approximately 320 grams of THC gummies and vaping products aboard Norwegian Jewel.
Lori Ellen Watt, 51, of Plainfield, Illinois, was reportedly carrying THC gummies and vaping products with a combined weight of approximately 480 grams. These figures refer to the reported weight of the products, not necessarily the amount of THC they contained.
Both women face one felony charge of possession of a controlled substance. Court records listed bonds of $2,500 for each woman, and both were subsequently released.
Norwegian Cruise Line directed media questions about the arrests to CBP. It has not publicly confirmed whether the three passengers will face any additional restrictions on future cruises.
There has been no indication from law enforcement that the three individuals were traveling together or that their alleged offenses were related. All three are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Cruise Passengers Face Strict Rules on Drugs
The arrests show why passengers need to check cruise line rules before packing. Some items that are perfectly legal at home are banned on cruise ships, and bringing them aboard can lead to serious consequences.
Recreational marijuana is legal for adults in Arizona, where Henrichsen lives, but Norwegian Cruise Line has a strict policy against bringing cannabis products aboard its ships.
Under Norwegian Cruise Line’s prohibited-items policy, marijuana, THC gummies, CBD products, and other illegal drugs are not allowed onboard, even when prescribed for medical purposes.
The cruise line also warns that prohibited substances may be confiscated and reported to law enforcement. Passengers who violate drug laws while visiting foreign ports can face prosecution under local laws.
Passengers caught carrying prohibited substances can face anything from confiscation and denied boarding to criminal charges. We’ve explained more about what happens if you’re caught with drugs on a cruise ship, including how security checks work and the penalties passengers may face.
This isn’t the first time cruise passengers have faced drug-related arrests.
In July 2026, a passenger aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady was arrested during a stop in Crete, Greece, after authorities allegedly discovered controlled substances. The passenger was subsequently returned to Spain.
A year earlier, in July 2025, four Carnival Cruise Line passengers were arrested in Bermuda after authorities reported finding cannabis products, THC gummies, vaping products, and carfentanil, a highly potent synthetic opioid. The passengers faced allegations involving possession and intent to distribute controlled substances.
In January 2025, a Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputy was arrested while preparing to board Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. Investigators alleged that he intended to bring narcotic pills aboard for resale during the cruise.
Unlike incidents that take place during a cruise or at a foreign port, the three Norwegian Jewel passengers were arrested before the ship even left Miami.
The case shows that drug restrictions aren’t limited to what happens onboard. Passengers can face law enforcement action during the boarding process, even before their cruise begins.
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