CBP Seizes 150,000 Cigarettes from Cruise Ship Passengers

Two women returning from a brief cruise caught the attention of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers when they arrived at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal towing an eye-catching ten suitcases—and acting unusually composed.

The incident occurred on April 17, 2025, after the pair disembarked from a short cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. During a routine inspection, CBP officers uncovered 749 cartons—roughly 150,000 cigarettes—packed inside their luggage. The brands included Marlboro Red, Newport, and Marlboro Gold.

Although the women presented receipts for the tobacco, they lacked the necessary permits and U.S.-compliant packaging required for legal import. Investigators suspect the cigarettes were purchased abroad at a steep discount and were likely intended for illegal resale in the U.S., where their street value could approach $60,000.

Current regulations allow travelers to bring in only 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigars) for personal use without a permit. Anything beyond that limit requires formal authorization.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the two women or the cruise ship on which they traveled. One lingering mystery is how the women managed to bring such a massive quantity of cigarettes back onboard the ship while in Ensenada.

According to CBP, the women cooperated with officials during the screening process, which may have spared them immediate arrest. However, all the cigarettes were confiscated and will be destroyed. The women could still face legal consequences, including fines or criminal charges.