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28 Pounds of Cocaine Seized on Cruise Ship in SF

Customs officers bust three on Australia-bound liner

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2012 1:04 AM CST | Updated Feb 15, 2012 2:04 AM CST

(Newser) – It was supposed to be the cruise of a lifetime—around the Caribbean to Hawaii and onward to Australia. But three passengers who didn't make it past San Francisco look set to spend a big chunk of their lifetimes in jail. Customs officials seized close to 28 pounds of cocaine, and arrested an Australian and two New Zealanders after inspecting the liner on its arrival from Curacao.

"It was during a normal interview of a passenger, as we normally do when they come in," a customs official tells KTVU. "We talk to them. We ask them where they're from and what they're bringing in. Based on that interview, there was an anomaly in the story." The cocaine was found stashed in suitcases in two cabins. "It's been several years since we've had any type of seizure on a cruise ship vessel, so that is a little unusual," the official added.

P&O's Aurora liner was allowed to continue its journey after the seizure. (Getty Images)

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28 Pounds of Cocaine Seized on Cruise Ship in SF

Customs officers bust three on Australia-bound liner

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Prices rocket to highest in 20 years

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