A passenger aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is facing allegations of leaping off the vessel in an apparent bid to evade settling gambling debts exceeding £12,000.

Jey Gonzalez-Diaz embarked on a week-long voyage aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas, concluding its journey upon arrival at the Port of San Juan on Sunday.

During the return trip to port, Gonzalez-Diaz reportedly jumped overboard as the cruise ship was disembarking, around 9 am local time, in an attempt to flee his £12,354 ($16,710) debt primarily accrued from casino visits during the vacation.

Subsequently, he was rescued by a passing jet ski and brought back to shore. However, US Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended him near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building. At the time of his capture, he was found carrying two phones, five IDs, and £10,794 ($14,600) in cash, which fell short of his total gambling debt.

Among the identification documents in his possession were a Tennessee ID, a US passport, a Social Security card, a Puerto Rico birth certificate, and a Royal Caribbean boarding pass. Notably, different names were used across these documents, with variations such as ‘Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz,’ ‘Jeremy Diaz,’ and ‘Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez Diaz.’

It was revealed that ‘Jeremy Diaz’ had not only incurred the gambling expenses but had also booked the cruise, which departed from Puerto Rico and included a stop in Barbados.

When questioned about his true identity, Gonzalez-Diaz responded assertively, suggesting that law enforcement should have been aware of his identity. However, Puerto Rico state records confirmed his actual identity.

Gonzalez-Diaz explained his leap from the cruise ship by stating he was concerned about being taxed on the currency he had in his possession.

He has since been released on bail but faces federal charges that could result in a sentence of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to £185,000 ($250,000).