Pentagon contractor busted when boarding cruise with his bag of drugs to sell; used government computer for planning peddling pills

Caribbean cruise plans to sell pills to ship passengers sniffed out by police K-9 dogs. Peter D. Melendez and Robert E. Koehler busted and booked in Miami-Dade Jail on Feb. 3, 2019, while the Allure of the Seas left without them. No drugs, no cruise, and bail to raise.  Upon conviction, perhaps no job except making license plates.

WANNA-BE DRUG DEALERS POPPED BY COPS: Conspiracy to deal pills to cruise passengers discovered on Pentagon computer



From local10.com reported the following:

MIAMI – Two tourists from Washington, D.C., were arrested Sunday Feb. 3, 2019, on accusations they tried to smuggle drugs onto a cruise ship at Port Miami, authorities said.

According to an arrest report, a Homeland Security special agent intercepted emails from Peter Melendez, 35, who is a government contractor, and Robert Koehler, 27, discussing their strategy to smuggle the drugs onto the ship and distribute the drugs to people once they were on board. MORE

The Atlantis special event booked the entire Royal Caribbean Allure Of The Seas for Feb. 3, 2019. The website promoted the cruise in this way: Get onboard Atlantis’ legendary Caribbean cruise for an all-new adventure in 2019! The world’s largest all-gay cruise sets sail in February with 5400 guys from over 60 different nations onboard the epic Allure of the Seas to four exotic islands. It’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of and more fun than ever with our nonstop festival of spectacular performers, legendary DJ talent, outrageous parties, thrilling activities, and so much more.

Allure of The Seas cruise sponsored by Atlantis was a marketing opportunity for two District of Columbia men, say police.

Atlantis noted on the website that the ship event cruise had been sold out.

Melendez posted information on his Facebook page that he works at the Pentagon. Police said the emails were intercepted through Melendez’s government-issued computer.

According to the arrest report, a K-9 was doing a routine check of passengers when it alerted its handler to the luggage of both suspects.

Police said numerous drugs were found inside the men’s luggage, including suspected MDMA, ketamine, Viagra, Adderall, and GHB.

Both men were arrested on charges of illegal drug trafficking. Melendez faces an additional charge of conspiracy to traffic MDMA.

Neither man has a criminal record in Virginia, Maryland or the District of Columbia revealing this may be their first venture into the world of drug dealing – or perhaps they have never been apprehended before this arrest.  With a criminal conviction, a security clearance at the Pentagon might be in jeopardy.

Miami Dade court records show Koehler was booked into jail on Feb. 3, 2019: 02/03/2019

KOEHLER, ROBERT E., 05/28/1991, 89313501C1B, ILL DRGS/TRF/14>/<28, 9959860, HOLD FOR MAGISTRATE, 713 HARVARD ST N.W., WASHINGTON

02/03/2019:

 MELENDEZ, PETER D., 09/11/1983, 89313505F, AMPHETAMIN/TRAFF/CON, 89313501C1B, ILL DRGS/TRF/14>/<28, 9959860, HOLD FOR MAGISTRATE, 713 HARVARD ST NW N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C.

SAME EVENT LAST YEAR LED TO DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH
Joel Taylor Dies on Harmony of the Seas – Latest Drug-Related Death on a Royal Caribbean/Atlantis Cruise?

FROM CRUISELAWNEWS.COM

By Jim Walker on January 24, 2018
POSTED IN DRUGS

Storm Chasers’ star Joel Taylor died of a suspected overdose on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship which had been chartered by Atlantis Events, according to TMZ and other websites.

Mr. Taylor was reportedly on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. These tabloids report that passengers on the Royal Caribbean ship stated that “drugs on the party boat were plentiful.”

Law enforcement allegedly told TMZ that “it appears the death could be an overdose and Joel Taylor was consuming controlled substances.”

Atlantis Cruises - Haromy of the Seas

“Joel had consumed enough GHB on the dance floor Tuesday that he was rendered unconscious and taken off the dance floor by 2 people and back to his room.” MORE

About Ecstasy or MDMA
from Eldon Law Group

MDMA or Ecstasy is regarded as one of the most widely used party drugs at a global level. The drug symbolizes rave culture, dance clubs, and music and is used at festivals, house parties, and night outs. The drug reacts with the blood to produce a feeling of euphoria, increase the feelings of sociability, improve communication skills, bring a feeling of inner peace and often causes mild-to-moderate hallucinations.

In the United States, ecstasy is also known as Molly. Over the course of the last 50 years, there have been numerous accounts of deaths attributed to Molly overdose. While most of the deaths have occurred at night clubs and along the electronic dance circuit (River Phoenix’s being the most popular case), the use of Molly has become widespread at home parties and for private recreational purposes as well.

General Ruling

MDMA is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States. Along with LSD, heroin, and cannabis, Molly does not offer any acceptable medical benefits and, therefore, cannot be used in medical treatment. In 2001, the U.S. Government enacted harsh laws and penalties for the supply of ecstasy/molly:

  • A person found guilty of manufacturing and/or distributing 50 grams or more of MDMA may be sentenced to a prison term of not less than 10 years and/or fines of not less than $4 million and $10 million for individuals and non-individuals respectively
  • If the distribution of the drug has resulted in a death or serious injury, the prison term may extend to 20 years and the penalties may be revised to $8 million and $20 million for individuals and non-individuals respectively
  • Possession of 5 grams or more of MDMA can result in an imprisonment of 5 years to 40 years for the individual
  • Where the possession of MDMA results in a serious injury or death due to the drug, the prison term may exceed 20 years and a fine of $2 million will be paid by the possessor being an individual or $5 million by the possessor being any person other than an individual.

State Ruling

Just as the drug is banned by the federal laws, the states implement stringent regulations that prohibit the use of MDMA. This applies to both color-coated ecstasy pills, as well as powdered MDMA Molly. Some of the most popular state rulings are as follows:

  • Florida: Possession of MDMA constitutes a “possession of unlawful chemical” offence and carries a conviction of up to 15 years jail time on charges of second-degree felony
  • MECHANICS WANTED