A 35-year-old Spanish passenger was removed from the Scarlet Lady after Greek authorities arrested him on drug-related charges during the ship's call at Souda, Crete, according to local media reports.

The incident occurred aboard the Virgin Voyages ship, which is currently chartered by Atlantis Events for an LGBTQ+ group cruise. The voyage has already attracted international attention after Turkish and Egyptian authorities refused to allow the ship to call at planned ports in the country, forcing itinerary changes earlier in the sailing.

According to Greek news outlet Patris, the passenger came to the attention of the ship's security team after he was allegedly found to be in possession of and distributing narcotics while onboard. Security personnel reportedly alerted the Chania Port Authority before the vessel arrived in Souda.

When the ship docked, officers from the Hellenic Coast Guard conducted a search and allegedly discovered small packets of cocaine along with a quantity of cannabis in the passenger's possession.

The man was arrested on suspicion of violating Greece's drug laws but was later released following a verbal order from the public prosecutor, local reports said.

Although he was released by authorities, his cruise came to an end. According to the reports, the cruise operator did not permit him to reboard the ship after the incident, leaving him behind in Greece and ending his vacation before the voyage continued.

Neither Virgin Voyages nor Atlantis Events has publicly commented on the incident.

The arrest is another setback for the high-profile charter sailing, which has remained in the spotlight since Turkish authorities denied the vessel permission to visit planned ports, citing what officials described as concerns over "moral standards." The itinerary was subsequently revised, with the ship making an unscheduled call in Chania instead.