A drug-sniffing dog working for police in Florida was given anti-overdose medication after ingesting drugs while searching party cruise passengers.
A Brevard County Sheriff's Office K-9 called Jake was screening passengers boarding for Holy Ship!— an electronic dance music (EDM) experience taking place on the Norwegian Epic. Last Saturday, more than a dozen people were arrested for trying to bring drugs onboard.
Read more: Passengers arrested for trying to sneak drugs onto EDM cruise
Organizers listed two tours this year. On Wednesday, as the second was set to embark, the K-9 allegedly discovered a batch of drugs before falling suddenly ill, WFTV reported. The dog was given Narcan by a crew member, a narcotic often used to treat overdoses in humans.
"[Jake] started having some problems with balance and had some type of seizure incident of some sort, was showing effects of having inhaled some substance," Tod Goodyear, a sheriff's office spokesperson, told WFTV. "They administered the Narcan and got [him] to the vet."
Analysis suggested the pup ingested a form of ecstasy. WKMG News 6 (ClickOrlando) reported Robert MacLean, an official with the U.S. Marshals Office, also confirmed that the incident had taken place. K-9 Jake is in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Brevard County Sheriff's Office linked the drugs to passenger Leslie Bennett, 33. Booking records posted online showed Bennett, of Montana, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance without prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia and equipment. The suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday and released today, the filings state.
WFTV reported the man was found with pills hidden in his boxers that later tested positive for ecstasy and amphetamine. The Holy Ship! tour will return to Port Canaveral tomorrow.
The 2019 event was the second year running passengers were caught trying to smuggle drugs onto the vessel. Online, organizers warn they have a "zero tolerance" policy in force.
"You will be embarking in Port Canaveral and passing through security run by Customs and Border Protection, a division of Homeland Security," a notice stated.
It added: "Every person and each piece of luggage will be inspected by dogs trained to detect explosives and contraband. Anyone found to be violating the law and/or in possession of illegal substances or prohibited items will be arrested and banned from future events."
In a brief statement released on Wednesday, originally provided to Fox News, the Holy Ship! organizers commented: "The event has been an incredibly popular and meaningful music experience for thousands over the years, and it is unfortunate that the actions of a select few reflect poorly on such a beloved festival."
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