Do coast guard / customs use sniffer dogs when searching yachts?

[chriswsailing]

Hello all!

I'm still fairly new to this forum, please help me! I'm planning my first trip to the Caribbeans in the next couple months. I plan to go from Spain to Costa Rica and other countries in Central America, and then get back to Italy, as an Italian citizen on an Italy registered motor yacht.

What should I expect from the coast guard / customs officials?

I have some small amounts of stuff for my personal use, officials never found them but a sniffer dog could get me in big trouble.

I heard yachts are regularly stopped by coast guard / navy and searched for drugs.
But do they use sniffer dogs while searching yachts? If you ever met any sniffer dogs while inspecting a yacht, in which country did that happen?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[Jubilee39]

I have seen them used in the Caribbean and Mediterannean. Pays your money, take your chances

[Franziska]

Is this stuff so important to you that you are willing to risk losing your yacht and perhaps lifestyle?

Yachts have been completely dismantled on the suspicion of having drugs onboard.
If they find a little, they will look for more.

Life is all about taking choices.

[s/v Moondancer]

I have been boarded by sniffer dogs and twice they took swabs to check for cocaine and smoked marijuana. They will confiscate the boat and put you in jail.

Searched in Mexico, St Lucia and Japan.

[Cheechako]

Friends had areas on the boat swabbed for drug residue.

[Sailing August]

Not worth the risk. They will take your vessel.

[LakeSuperior]

Small upside. Big downside!!!

[MicHughV]

I've been boarded several times. These folks are professionals, and they know every trick in the book, and if there is even the most remotest chance they suspect some or other narcotics, you and your boat will be toast.

To even contemplate bringing drugs onboard is the height of stupidity !!! To post here trying to figure out some place or method to hide your stash is moronic beyond my ability to tell you !!!

[Shrew]

Just joined....first post.

What you're proposing is considered drug smuggling by just about every country in the world, including most of the countries where cannabis is legal for recreational use.

Take a look at the Brittney Griner story for a 'worst case scenario', though I believe that there are hyper-conservative countries who might react even more stringently.

This post is borderline trolling. it would be ridiculous to propose smuggling contraband. Even more so to think that a public forum will provide advise on how to do it.

[Calif.Ted]

If it isn't your boat it's not your decision, when on someone else's boat THEIR rules apply.

[boatman61]

Must be a bludi big motor yacht..
Smoke/snort it on the Poop deck..

[Shrew]

As an added bonus you've now posted on the worlds most popular cruising site that there is an individual named "Chris" with a last name beginning with "W" sailing a Hinckley Sou'wester 42 through the Caribbean who is possibly smuggling contraband.

Nice piece of work.

[MarkSF]

The only viable approach, as far as I'm concerned, is an absolute 0% tolerance for drugs aboard my vessel. None, ever. Simple!

[Lionshooter]

I was boarded and searched 3 times while on deliveries to St. Thomas, VI. This was in the 80s and one of the CG cutters that stopped me was the infamous Dauntless which had about 20 marijuana leaves painted on the bow. It probably has 200 on it now. I had a strict rule about drugs on board so my boat was always clean. There was never a dog used, just the officers that actually came on board but they searched through every bag and cabinet on the boat.
Just not a very good idea to be carrying anything illegal. It is easy enough to find wherever you make landfall.

[Manateeman]

Have your girlfriend lock you in a small bathroom without your “stuff” for a few days. Feel like a shower? That’s where you’ll find the entertainment committee in prison. And your girlfriend will be entertaining other members of the same gang who are outside the joint. And if you live to get out, you get to pay them back for all the protection they supplied.
Loosing your boat is just the start.