Bermuda's tourism slogan "Let Yourself Go'' does not extend to bringing drugs into the Island, a first-time American visitor was told in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Acting Senior Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp told Joseph Galluzzi, of New York City, who admitted importing 8.46 grams of cannabis to the Island: "I don't think the Tourism Department's slogan, `Let yourself go in Bermuda' quite applies in this manner.

"We don't want tourists like you, who bring in your drugs. Bermuda is not a jurisdiction that tolerates the importation of illegal substances.

"Take them elsewhere,'' she said before fining him $1,100.

Galluzzi arrived on the Island on July 19 aboard American Airlines flight 686, and Customs officers found 8.46 grams of marijuana concealed in his underwear.

Galluzzi's companion, Vanessa Vatier, 23, also of New York City, was fined $300 after admitting she was carrying five marijuana cigarettes in an open pack of cigarettes.

She told the court that, as a waitress in New York, she is in the habit of collecting such things from tables and did not know the package contained cannabis.

"In the future I suggest you throw such things in the garbage. Welcome to Bermuda,'' said Ms Mapp in handing down her sentence.

The pair were scheduled to return home yesterday.