On a lively Sunday at PortMiami, Florida, thousands of gay men gathered for what was promoted as thelargest gay festival at sea. However, a routine luggage screening conducted byU.S. Customs and Border Protection(CBP), with assistance from detection canines, led to the discovery of illegal substances and the arrest of nine passengers on drug possession charges.
The arrests took place shortly before the scheduled departure of the Royal Caribbean’sSymphony of the Seas. Reports from various sources, including Miami TV station WPLG, indicated that five of the arrested individuals were identified, and the cases were referred to theMiami-Dade Sheriff’s Office(MDSO), which worked alongside CBP during the operation.
Details of the arrests
Detective Joseph R. Peguero Rivera from the MDSO stated that deputies were called by CBP around 6 p.m. to support a drug enforcement initiative. This operation resulted in the apprehension of nine individuals on multiple drug-related charges, involving substances such asMDMA, LSD, and cocaine. Other drugs mentioned in the arrest reports includedketamine, methamphetamine, and the GHB precursorGBL, known for its severe physiological effects.
The individuals charged are identified as follows: Joshua S. Eddy, 41, from West Hollywood, California; Brad R. Kloha, 41, of Nashville, Tennessee; Adam Jones, 49, from Atlanta, Georgia; Hoi Le, 51, from San Francisco; Joshua Lee Jenkins, 39, from Tacoma, Washington; Ryan D. Medrano, 27, of Phoenix, Arizona; Tamar J. Wilson, 37, of Chicago; Daisuke Nakanoh, 40, also from Chicago; and Ricardo Gabriel Junquera, 39, from Miami.
Specific charges and backgrounds
The arrest affidavits reveal that Eddy faces serious trafficking charges related toMDMA, along with multiple felony possession counts. Authorities noted that his luggage contained not only MDMA but alsomethamphetamine, ketamine, and GBL, a substance linked to the club drug GHB, which can cause unconsciousness and respiratory issues. Eddy is notably recognized as an adult content creator on OnlyFans and identifies as a Global Client Lead at Meta on his LinkedIn profile.
Kloha has been charged with trafficking in MDMA and felony possession, with his bag reportedly containing both MDMA and ketamine. Similarly, Jones and Le face felony drug charges based on substances discovered during the screening. Jenkins has been charged with felony possession after preliminary tests indicated controlled substances in his luggage. Medrano, Wilson, Nakanoh, and Junquera also face felony drug charges stemming from the same operation at PortMiami.
Concerns about cruise safety
The arrests have sparked significant concerns regarding the balance between celebration and safety on party-oriented cruises. TheSymphony of the Seas, capable of accommodating over 5,000 passengers, was set to embark on a week-long Caribbean itinerary organized byAtlantis Events, a company known for large-scale LGBTQ+ party cruises that blend vacationing with vibrant nightlife.
These cruises are often viewed as unique spaces of visibility and freedom for LGBTQ+ travelers. However, troubling incidents have emerged in recent years, including several medical emergencies linked to drug overdoses. A tragic example is the death of Jonathan Mindrum, a 36-year-old man from Chicago, who died aboard the Royal Caribbean’sOasis of the Seasduring an Atlantis-chartered voyage in January, raising alarms about safety protocols on these floating celebrations.
Industry responses and reflections
In light of the recent arrests, inquiries were made to Rich Campbell, CEO of Atlantis Events, and spokespeople for both the company and Royal Caribbean regarding passenger safety measures. Unfortunately, these inquiries went unanswered. Randle Roper, founder of VACAYA, another LGBTQ+ travel enterprise hosting similar cruises, expressed a contrasting view, advocating for a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal substances. He emphasized that the risks associated with life at sea are significant, and the legal and medical ramifications of drug use cannot be understated.
TheSymphony of the Seasis expected to return to Miami on the following Sunday, leaving behind pressing questions about the impact of drug use on medical emergencies at sea and the