more than $1,000 yesterday for having drugs.

Mathew Lax, 17, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to possessing 9.76 grams of cannabis and drug equipment.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Lax was subject to a search by Customs officers when the cruise ship he was on, Dreamward , pulled into St.

George's on Monday around 12.30 p.m.

When the officers opened a tape cassette case in Lax's bag they found nine small ziplock bags containing plant material.

And when they checked Lax's back pocket they found cigarette papers.

Sgt. Mouchette said Lax, upon being arrested, told Police: "I just want this to be over.'' Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp yesterday told Lax: "We don't take it very kindly when people bring their problems to Bermuda, especially when they are drug related.'' "We have enough members of our own community that are suffering from addiction,'' she added.

Mrs. Mapp ordered Lax to pay a $1,000 fine for the drugs and $250 for the cigarette papers.