admitted possessing a cannabis pipe.

The pipe -- containing a small amount of cannabis -- was found during a search of Frank Nicholas Schellace's luggage at the Civil Air Terminal on August 26.

Schellace was fined after changing his plea from not guilty.

Duty Counsel Mr. Archie Warner origianlly said his client had responsibilities in the United States, and that it was necessary for him to return to New York immediately.

Requesting that he be allowed to post "a substantial cash bond to compel his appearance'' at trial, Mr. Warner called the charges against his client "relatively minor'' and noted that the bail the 39-year-old was willing to post was significantly higher than the maximum fine for such an offence.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis however, disagreed with Mr. Warner's assessment of the situation, and questioned Schellace's need to leave Bermuda before trial later in the week. Mr. Francis set bail and scheduled the trial date for tomorrow.

After a brief consultation with council outside the courtroom, Schellace changed his plea to guilty, and was fined $100.