A man who cursed at Customs and Police after being selected for a secondary search apologised, saying he had been going through a hard time.

Detroy Smith, 24, pleaded guilty to using offensive words to both Police and Customs officers at L.F. Wade International Airport.

According to Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney, Smith arrived at the airport on a commercial flight around 1.50 p.m. on Tuesday.

After he collected his luggage, Smith proceeded through Customs but was stopped when officials saw he was coded for a secondary search.

At that point, Smith said loudly: "F**k this. You guys are always searching me. F**k you all."

Smith went forward to be searched, continuing to swear until he was approached by a Customs officer, when he said: "That c**t sent me over here and didn't send no one else."

Police were informed about the complaints, and when a Police officer arrived, Smith said: "You brought this clown? F**k this."

In Magistrates' Court, Smith admitted to swearing at officers, saying he was frustrated and had been going through hard times.

"I had a bit of stress on my head. I was in court for a while, and I left the Island to cool off for a bit, but I was told by US customs that I had to come back on October 12.

"Then I received some bad news when I landed. I wasn't cursing out loud, but I did swear, and I apologise for that."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Smith $500 for swearing at Police and another $500 for using offensive words towards customs officers.

This summer, Smith appeared in court facing charges in connection with an armed robbery, but they were dropped in September after the complainant refused to talk to prosecutors.