Particle.news
Download on the App Store

U.S. Agents Detain 28 Cruise Crew in San Diego Child‑Exploitation Operation

Officials relied on visa cancellations to send crews home without disclosing charges.

Overview

  • Federal agents who boarded eight cruise ships in San Diego between April 23 and 27 detained 28 crew members during a child sexual exploitation material investigation.
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection said 27 of the 28 were implicated, their visas were canceled, and they were returned to their countries of citizenship.
  • The detained group included 26 workers from the Philippines, one from Portugal, and one from Indonesia, according to agency statements.
  • Homeland Security Investigations said the action was part of Operation Tidal Wave and that leads came from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
  • Passenger video showed multiple Disney Magic staffers escorted off in handcuffs, and Disney said it cooperated with investigators and that the implicated employees are no longer with the company.