What drug bust did Jewel get involved in?

In 1994, Jewel and Steve Poltz were mistakenly caught in a drug bust in Mexico, which involved a boat chase and thousands of pounds of marijuana.

How did the Mexico drug bust influence Jewel's music?

The intense and surreal experience during the 1994 drug bust was the inspiration behind Jewel's hit song 'You Were Meant for Me'.

Where did Jewel and Steve Poltz break into a shack?

Jewel and Steve Poltz broke into a deserted shack in Rosarito, Baja, Mexico, during a 1994 trip.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Jewel's Wild 1994 Drug Bust Boat Ride

Jewel's Wild 1994 Drug Bust Boat Ride

13 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Jewel and Steve Poltz were mistaken for drug smugglers in Mexico.
They found themselves on a high-speed boat chase with police.
The incident led to the writing of Jewel's hit song 'You Were Meant for Me'.

Singer Jewel shared a wild tale from 1994 at a recent mental health summit, detailing an unexpected drug bust during a trip to Mexico with collaborator Steve Poltz. What began as a simple writing retreat near Rosarito quickly turned perilous when local police mistook them for smugglers.

Forced onto a police boat, Jewel and Poltz were caught in a high-speed chase after an unidentified vessel. The smugglers were apprehended, leading to the discovery of a massive marijuana stash. The surreal events, including being offered firearms and witnessing the bust, left Jewel terrified of being framed.

Remarkably, this harrowing experience, which included a now-famous photo of Jewel holding an AR-15, inspired Jewel's iconic 1995 hit song 'You Were Meant for Me.' The singer now reflects on the incident as a metaphor for navigating the unpredictable nature of fame and mental well-being in the music industry.

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