A local political operative was among those arrested in last week’s drug sting aboard a gay cruise at the Port of Miami. 

Ricardo G. Junquera, 39, of Miami was arrested Feb. 1 on narcotics charges while attempting to board Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Sea. The cruise, chartered by Atlantis Events, was marketed as “the world’s biggest gay festival at sea.” 

Junquera is the former Vice Chair of Outreach for the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. In 2020, he ran for the Florida House of Representatives, losing to Republican Anthony Rodriguez, now a county commissioner. 

Facebook photos show Junquera attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and recently worked as a senior adviser for former Congresswoman Debbie-Mucarsel Powell. 

The bust was initiated by a drug sniffing dog with the Seaport Operations Bureau. The canine flagged baggage for further inspection and an examination by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed a container with several pills and powders. 

The CBP report stated the substances tested positive for cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine and MDMA, a synthetic drug known on the streets as “Molly” and “Ecstasy.” The amount seized did not meet the threshold for federal prosecution so Junquera and the drugs were turned over to the local authorities. 

Junquera faces one felony charge of cocaine possession and two felony charges of possession of controlled substances. He is free on bond and his case is assigned to circuit judge Tanya Brinkley. 

According to a press release from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office, nine people were arrested on drug charges during onboarding.

When contacted by Out South Florida, Junquera declined comment.