Sixteen passengers from a Costa Cruises ship were arrested on Wednesday, March 27 for drug smuggling in the port of Santos, Brazil. According to local media, the 16 carried no less than 300 kg of cocaine.
It concerns 8 men and 8 women: 10 Brazilians, 3 French and 3 Belgians, all younger than 30. They were aboard Costa Favolosa, a cruise ship which was docked in Santos port and would, within a few days, reach Europe (the Canaries, Spain, France, Italy).
The cruise ship security personnel found the drugs during an electronic baggage inspection. Each piece of the suspect's baggage contained US$1,000 cash, in addition to the cocaine. Presumably, it was an "advance" they were paid for the drugs' transport.
Earlier this week, 12 suspects were arrested on the island of Madeira, Portugal for similar facts.
For other Costa Favolosa accidents and incidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.