Federal agents at PortMiami noticed something weird in the way a crew member walked off Oceania Riviera cruise ship the day after New Year’s Day.
31-year-old Wilford Thobourne had a “stiff gait as he walked on the dock” which was likely caused by the over a pound and a half of cocaine that he stashed in his groin area and the 5 pairs of shorts and underwear he had on underneath the jeans meant to conceal the contraband, according to the January 3 arrest report by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Adam Jefferson.
Thobourne also had another nearly 2 pounds of cocaine hidden in his sandals' soles that agents found when they searched him at around 12:15 p.m. on January 2.
Oceania Riviera had just returned from the Caribbean, after visiting Puerto Rico, St Bart’s, St Lucia and the Grenadines.
It is not clear what Thobourne’s job was onboard the Riviera, how long he has been with the cruise line or if he is still employed with Oceania Cruises.
The man is due to appear before a federal judge on Wednesday, January 9, for a 10:00 a.m. detention hearing. His arraignment is scheduled for January 17 in Miami FL.
For other Oceania Riviera accidents and incidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.