Cruise ships that docked in Maine tied to 87 crew removals over child sexual abuse material
CBP Removes Six Crew Members from Vessel En Route to Portland as Part of Boston Crackdown
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials removed six crew members from a cargo ship that was scheduled to dock in Portland, Maine, after the vessel was inspected in Boston. The action is part of a broader federal crackdown on illicit maritime activity that has already targeted two ships slated to stop in Maine’s coastal ports.
The first vessel, which had been boarded at the Boston port earlier in the week, was cleared of the crew by CBP for further investigation. The ship had been slated to make a stop in Portland on its way south, but the crew removal prevented the vessel from docking. A second ship, which was not subject to the same removal, was scheduled to call at Bar Harbor, Maine’s popular summer destination. While that ship’s crew remained aboard, CBP officers reviewed its cargo and paperwork before allowing the vessel to enter harbor.
The crackdown, announced by federal authorities in late August, focuses on a network suspected of smuggling contraband—including firearms and narcotics—into the United States via the Atlantic seaboard. The two vessels in question were flagged by CBP as part of that investigation because of suspicious manifests and irregularities in their shipping records. “We are working to ensure that all maritime traffic entering the United States complies with federal law,” a CBP spokesperson said in a statement. “Crew members found to be in violation of customs regulations are removed and detained pending further review.”
CBP’s removal of the six crew members came after a board of officers boarded the ship at Boston’s terminal. During the inspection, officials identified documents that did not match the vessel’s cargo manifest and flagged potential violations of U.S. customs law. The crew were taken off the vessel and brought to a CBP facility for questioning and processing.
The two Maine ports have expressed concern about the impact of the crackdown on their economies. “Portland’s port authority is closely monitoring the situation,” said a local port official. “We’re committed to maintaining the safety and security of our harbor while supporting legitimate trade.” A spokesperson from the Bar Harbor harbor authority said the vessel’s arrival had been delayed, but the crew remained on board and the ship was cleared to enter the harbor after CBP officers completed their review.
CBP officials said the six crew members are currently held at a federal facility pending further investigation. The agency has not yet disclosed whether any criminal charges will be filed.
The crackdown on illicit maritime traffic has already led to the seizure of dozens of containers and the detention of several crew members. Authorities say the operation will continue until the investigation is complete.
Local businesses along Maine’s coast are monitoring the situation closely. “We’re hoping that the authorities will resolve this quickly,” said a Portland business owner who runs a seafood restaurant. “The port’s activity is a vital part of our community, and we’re ready to resume normal operations as soon as possible.”
