Jewel Shares Her Eye-Opening Experience Joining Mexican Police on a Drug Bust

Jewel.
Credit :

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jewel recounted her unexpected involvement in a drug bust in Mexico in 1994 during the Not Alone Summit in Las Vegas, which took place from Nov. 10 to Nov. 13.
• This incident inspired her hit song, “You Were Meant for Me,” released the following year.
• The #NotAlone Awards in October recognized innovators advancing conversations around mental health.

During her recent presentation at the Not Alone Summit at Wynn Las Vegas, Jewel shared a gripping story from her past, reflecting on themes of mental health, creativity, and resilience. Participants were surprised to hear her recount one of the most bizarre and dangerous experiences of her early career, a tale that has resurfaced nearly two decades later through her retrospective lens.

The narrative traces back to the summer of 1994, when a young Jewel, at just 20, teamed up with fellow musician Steve Poltz to write music in Mexico. At the time, she was working as a barista at Java Joe’s in San Diego, while Poltz was performing as a singer with The Rugburns.

Jewel.

Luther Redd

Poltz encouraged Jewel to drive, but what was intended to be a three-hour journey morphed into a 15-hour detour through desolate back roads. They eventually found themselves in a near-abandoned area of Rosarito, Baja, Mexico, where they came across three plywood shacks by the Sea of Cortez. Without much thought, they entered the structures to enjoy the view as the sun set behind them.

However, the next afternoon took a grim turn when four armed officials, identifying themselves as “Federales,” approached them on the beach.

When asked about their presence, Jewel innocently responded, “Watching the empty town.” They then inquired about boating opportunities, which led to an unimaginable turn of events: the officers invited them to join a drug bust.

“We’re on a drug bust,” one officer informed Jewel, leaving her stunned and questioning the timing.

“Is it dangerous?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Sí,” came the chilling response.

Jewel.

Luther Redd

As they ventured out on a small boat, Jewel humorously recalled, “We’re really smart… we got in the little boat.” Despite the light-hearted setup, her stomach dropped when the officers unveiled their true intentions: they showed off bullet hole scars and made an unexpected offer of weapons.

During the ordeal, Jewel found herself on a high-speed chase on the water while the officials pursued smugglers. The situation escalated as the smugglers crashed their boat and attempted to flee into the woods. Jewel, filled with anxiety, watched as the federales apprehended the culprits and discovered a hidden stash of marijuana wrapped in Saran Wrap.

Jewel.

Luther Redd

Amid nervous laughter, she expressed her concern that they might end up implicated in the crime. Jewel described the surreal experience as “crazy” and went on to share a light-hearted moment when officers, pleased with their haul, invited them to a celebratory party.

Reflecting on the event’s absurdity, she noted, “It was such a crazy, weird random adventure, I feel like only in the ’90s.” Jewel illuminated how the experience served as a stark reminder of the challenges she faced in navigating fame and personal well-being.

Jewel.

Matthew Takes

Jewel further emphasized the mental health challenges musicians face, noting the struggles of addiction often glorified in the industry. She expressed pride in artists who are prioritizing their mental well-being and shared her belief that music can be a form of therapy, both for creators and listeners alike.

Ultimately, Jewel’s account underscores her growth as an artist and her commitment to supporting others in their mental health journeys, proving that even the wildest experiences can lead to meaningful reflections and a mission to help others heal.