Multimillion-Dollar Luxury Yacht Raided: Owner Arrested on Drug and Firearm Charges
In an unexpected turn of events, a multimillion-dollar, 80-foot luxury yacht, the Jess Conn, found itself at the center of a police operation in Nantucket Harbor. The vessel’s owner, Scott Burke, a former physician from Colorado who had retired to Florida, was arrested on a slew of drug and firearms charges.
The incident began when police responded to a call about a woman possibly overdosing on board the “petite superyacht” built by Nordhavn in 2021. Upon boarding the vessel, authorities discovered a disoriented woman in the master bedroom, who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. Concerned for her safety, they promptly took her to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
As the search of the yacht continued, police allegedly found a loaded handgun and a bag of cocaine in the room. A subsequent search warrant uncovered 43.4 grams of cocaine and 14.1 grams of ketamine, along with other illicit items. Shockingly, sources close to the investigation suggest that prostitutes were also present on board.
Burke claimed to have a valid license for the handguns, but it was revealed that his Florida license was neither recognized in Massachusetts nor valid anymore. Initially charged with possession of two handguns and cocaine, additional charges were added after the search of the yacht revealed more contraband, ammunition, and large-capacity magazines.
The luxury Nordhavn yacht, known as a “mini-superyacht,” comes with a hefty price tag of over $7.5 million. It boasts features such as a hot tub on the flybridge and elegant herringbone floors, catering to globetrotters who enjoy summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the Caribbean.
Burke’s vessel is registered in the Cayman Islands and is equipped with twin 375 hp John Deere engines, capable of carrying over 4,600 gallons of fuel. It provides luxurious accommodation with four staterooms and housing for up to two crew members.
Despite his release on bail, attempts to contact Burke for comments have been unsuccessful. Public records show that Burke obtained his medical license in Colorado in 1981, which was last renewed in 2019. He has also owned two other large vessels, both named Jess Conn.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain tight-lipped about potential additional charges. The high-seas drama on Nantucket Harbor serves as a stark reminder that even the most luxurious yachts can become the backdrop for unexpected legal troubles.