MONTREAL — Three Canadian cruise ship passengers who were charged in Australia with drug smuggling were refused bail Wednesday after making a court appearance in Sydney.
Andre Tamine, 64, Isabelle Lagace, 28, and Melina Roberge, 23, were arrested in late August after the MS Sea Princess, operated by California-based Princess Cruises, berthed in the Australian metropolis.
Detection dogs helped police allegedly find 95 kilograms of cocaine in their suitcases, according to Australian Border Force commander Tim Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald alleged at the end of August that 35 kilograms of cocaine were found in suitcases in a cabin the women shared and 60 kilograms were discovered in the man's luggage in a separate cabin.
The drugs were worth an estimated $30.5 million.
The next court date is Dec. 7. The Sydney courthouse could not confirm Wednesday if the accused entered a plea.
The Canadians face potential life sentences if convicted.
