Seven American tourists were hauled before Bermuda's courts on Friday for importing cannabis into the Island.

Five of the men were caught on board cruise ships, which were not named in court, and the other two were stopped on arrival at Bermuda International Airport.

John Fisher, 49, from Pennsylvania, was found with 2.48 grams of cannabis on Tuesday, and was fined $1,000 or 90 days in jail for the offence.

Sean Holloway, 28, from Maryland, was found with 23 grams of marijuana in his cabin on the same day, along with a pipe to smoke it. He was fined $1,000 for importation and $500 for possession of equipment.

Robert Jump, 33, from New Jersey, was fined $1,000 after Customs and Police officers discovered 0.41 grams of cannabis in his cabin, while Joshua Leonard, 23, was fined $1,000 for importing 1.41 grams of the drug, and $500 for having a pipe.

James Symes, 44, of Maryland, was fined $1,000 after being caught with 6.2 grams of the drug while his cruise ship was docked in St. George's.

At the airport, Efriam Perez, 45, from Georgia, was given a second search by Customs officers and found to have 3.89 grams of cannabis in his underwear, on Wednesday, while Quinton Perry, 58, from Michigan, was caught on the same day at the airport with 1.72 grams of the drug.

He claimed in court that he needed marijuana for a glaucoma condition, but was unable to show a copy of a US prescription for the drug to the court.

He was also fined $1,000.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said little to the accused visitors, but said the narcotics dog that sniffed out the drugs should be praised.

He said: "We should have a Christmas party for this dog. Give him some steaks, and put up a no smoking sign."