An earlier article on this site reported that ICE detained crew members aboard the Disney Magic in San Diego. This article reflects the latest confirmed details.
Several crew members from the Disney Wonder cruise ship were among 28 people arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as part of a child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) investigation.
The operation took place between April 23 and April 27, during which CBP boarded eight cruise ships docked in San Diego. Of those arrested, 26 were crew members from the Philippines, one from Portugal, and one from Indonesia. Authorities confirmed that 27 of the 28 individuals were found to have been involved in the receipt, possession, transportation, distribution, or viewing of child sexual exploitation material. Their visas were subsequently cancelled and they were returned to their countries of citizenship. No names were released, nor were the other cruise lines involved.
Disney confirmed it has a zero-tolerance policy for such conduct and stated that it fully cooperated with law enforcement. Those individuals involved are no longer employed with Disney Cruise Line.
The Walt Disney Company issued the following statement:
We were shocked and saddened to learn of the recent arrests of individuals on several cruise ships in San Diego as part of a law enforcement operation.
The majority of those apprehended were not employees of Disney. We can confirm a very small number of Disney crew members were among those detained.
Disney has a zero-tolerance policy for child exploitation and any form of sexual misconduct. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement.
The safety and well-being of children is a fundamental value for our company, and we remain committed to doing our part to protect the most vulnerable.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE VICTIMS AND ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THESE CRIMES.
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Thank you for leaving an accurate account of this situation. Glad to hear that Disney would cooperate with law enforcement to address this heinous situation. The post shared yesterday by another blogger (Jackie?) was wholly inaccurate. That person should be removed from the site.