87 Cruise Ship Crew Members Removed Due to Alleged Child Exploitation Material

**Customs and Border Protection Target Child Exploitation in Cruise Ship Industry at Boston Port**

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has intensified its enforcement efforts at the Port of Boston as part of its ongoing campaign known as “Operation Tidal Wave.” Since mid-August, the agency has removed a total of 87 cruise ship crew members from various vessels due to their alleged involvement with child exploitation material. This crackdown highlights the serious issues of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) within the cruise ship industry.

The most recent enforcement action transpired on 20 September, when CBP officers removed six crew members from the Norwegian Breakaway. These individuals were subjected to secondary screening at Boston Logan International Airport, where they reportedly confessed to previously possessing CSEM and CSAM. Following a search of their living quarters and electronic devices, they were processed for removal based on violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act concerning “moral turpitude.”

On 28 September, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts reported another related arrest in Boston. A 35-year-old crew member, identified as Bobby Prieto, was apprehended and charged with the transportation of child pornography. Prieto, who had been working on the Norwegian Jewel, came under scrutiny during secondary screening by CBP. A preliminary examination of his mobile phones revealed multiple media files allegedly showing CSAM, including at least one that purportedly depicted Prieto committing a sexual assault on a young girl.

In a response to the removals, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line asserted that the company is fully cooperating with authorities in these matters. They affirmed that the safety and security of guests remain a top priority. “We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment across our fleet,” the spokesperson said in a statement released to the media.

Operation Tidal Wave is a multi-agency initiative designed to combat the possession and distribution of child sexual exploitation materials among cruise ship crews. This operation is not unique to Boston but is part of a larger nationwide effort that has seen enforcement actions taken across various locations.

The first phase of Operation Tidal Wave took place in San Diego in April, resulting in enforcement actions involving 27 crew members from six different vessels. A subsequent phase in San Juan, Puerto Rico, conducted in June and July, led to the removal of 14 crew members and prompted federal prosecution against another individual.

The regulatory changes and heightened enforcement are intended to provide a robust deterrent against the exploitation of children and to uphold standards of decency and safety within the travel and tourism sector. As part of these efforts, CBP has already indicated its intentions to continue these operations through the remainder of the fiscal year, signalling a sustained commitment to tackling these grave offences.

For those involved with CSEM, the penalties can be severe. Not only do these offences invite criminal prosecution, but they can also lead to removal from the United States and a ban on re-entry for up to ten years. The stark consequences illustrate the serious nature of these offences and the commitment of authorities to address them head-on.

The events unfolding at the Port of Boston underscore a significant issue in the cruise industry, prompting a reevaluation of safety protocols and crew member accountability. As the operation progresses, vigilance will be essential in ensuring that the safety of guests, particularly children, is prioritised. The continuous updates from CBP serve as both a warning and a call to action for the cruise industry to actively participate in safeguarding against such reprehensible acts.