were fined in Magistrates' Court yesterday for possessing cannabis.

Noel Williams, 24, from New York was the first visitor to plead guilty to possessing marijuana.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told the court that around 11.20 a.m. on July 14 the cruise ship, Dreamward , docked in St. George's.

Passenger Williams was subject to a search where Customs officers found two homemade cigarettes in her purse.

Upon searching her cabin, Sgt. Taylor said the officers found 18 homemade cigarettes and two other half-smoked cigarettes.

When questioned, Williams said: "It's marijuana for my own personal use.'' Sgt. Taylor said the plant-like material was discovered to be 5.81 grams of cannabis.

Duty counsel Richard Horseman told the court that Williams was a dental hygienist and that she was very apologetic for the incident.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered Williams to pay a $500 fine.

Constantina Balodis, 27, of New York and another Dreamward passenger also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis.

Sgt. Taylor told the court that Customs officers found a half-smoked homemade cigarette and a packet of blue tablets in her purse.

Balodis told Police: "It's marijuana and I don't know what the tablets are.'' But Balodis was only charged with possessing .21 grams of cannabis and not the tablets.

Sgt. Taylor told the court Balodis was a retail manager in a clothing store.

Mr. Francis ordered her to pay $100.

The third Dreamward passenger who pleaded guilty to having marijuana was Joseph DeCarlo, 29, of New York.

He, too, was searched on Monday when the ship arrived in Bermuda.

Sgt. Taylor said Customs officers found two homemade cigarettes on him and later found 17 more after searching his cabin.

The total amount of cannabis was 8.81 grams, Sgt. Taylor reported.

When questioned by Police about the drugs, DeCarlo said: "It's marijuana.

It's for my nausea. I get seasick.'' Mr. Francis fined him $800.

William Darcey, 16, from Florida, also pleaded guilty to having cannabis on him as well as drug equipment.

Sgt. Taylor said Darcey was a passenger on the Zenith cruise ship and was subject to a search on July 14 when the ship docked in Hamilton around 1 p.m.

Customs officers found a small amount of plant material and cigarette papers in Darcey's duffel bag.

Sgt. Taylor said the substance was discovered to be 1.38 grams of cannabis.

Mr. Francis fined Darcey $150 for the cannabis and $100 for the papers.

Shannon Flannery, 18, of New York, who also arrived on the Zenith on July 14, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis.

Sgt. Taylor told the court that Customs officers found a pack of cigarette papers in her purse.

After searching Flannery's cabin, they also found a wooden pipe and a ziplock bag containing plant-like material.

The substance was confirmed to be 2.42 grams of cannabis.

Sgt. Taylor reported that Flannery was a student on her first visit to the Island.

Mr. Francis ordered her to pay a $200 fine for the drugs and $100 for the drug equipment.