11 Cruise Crew Detained in Boston During Federal Operation
US Federal authorities detained 11 cruise ship crew members in Boston as part of a multi-agency operation focused on individuals suspected of involvement with child sexual abuse material.
The crew members were taken into custody after Holland America Line’s *Volendam *and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway arrived at the Port of Boston on Aug. 15 and 16.
The enforcement action formed part of Operation Tidal Wave, an initiative involving US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other federal agencies. The operation is aimed at identifying cruise ship employees suspected of possessing, receiving or distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Crew Quarters and Electronic Devices Searched
Crew members arriving at US ports can be subject to immigration and border inspections, which may include examination of electronic devices when authorities have grounds for additional screening. In this case, federal officials said the crew members’ cabins and electronic devices were searched before enforcement action was taken.
Authorities have not released the identities of the 11 individuals or disclosed their onboard positions. They have also not said how many of those detained were working on *Volendam *and how many were employed aboard Norwegian Breakaway.
According to information released about the operation, nine of the crew members are citizens of the Philippines, one is from Indonesia and one is from Nicaragua.
Crew Members Processed for Removal From US
Authorities did not announce federal criminal charges against the 11 crew members. Instead, they said the individuals were processed for removal from the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act on grounds involving “crimes involving moral turpitude.”
This is an important distinction, as immigration removal proceedings are different from a criminal conviction and based on the information released so far, the 11 individuals are expected to be deported from the United States.
The US Attorney’s Office was also consulted during the operation, according to authorities.
“Protecting children from exploitation is among our highest priorities, and this operation demonstrates the critical role CBP officers play in identifying and stopping individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” said Julio Caravia, Acting Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Boston Field Office.
HSI New England Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Grimming said the agencies were sending a clear message that people who possess or transport child sexual abuse material are not welcome in the United States.
Both Cruise Ships Continued Scheduled Operations
*Volendam *arrived in Boston on Aug. 15 during an eight-day itinerary that departed Montreal on Aug. 8. The sailing included several destinations in Canada as well as a call at Portland, Maine.
Norwegian Breakaway arrived in Boston the following day after completing an eight-day roundtrip cruise from the city that visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, and King’s Wharf, Bermuda. The vessel is scheduled to continue operating from Boston through early November.
Both ships continued their planned operations after the federal action, with no delays reported in connection with the removal of the crew members.
Operation Tidal Wave Remains Ongoing
Operation Tidal Wave is not limited to the Boston enforcement action. The continuing initiative brings together resources from CBP, HSI and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. Its focus includes cruise ship crew members suspected of possessing, obtaining, producing, using or distributing child sexual exploitation material.
The latest operation also demonstrates how a routine arrival at a US cruise port can become an immigration enforcement matter when authorities identify potentially prohibited material or other grounds for inadmissibility.