Magistrates' Court yesterday for drug possession.

Lawrence Anthony Marzigliano, 32, is employed as a chicken slaughterer in New Jersey and was visiting the Island aboard the cruise ship Meridian .

He pleaded guilty to possessing 7.08 grams of cannabis.

Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Marzigliano was subjected to a search at the ship while in Dockyard on July 8.

Two homemade cigarettes containing cannabis were found in his underwear.

Upon searching Marzigliano's cabin, three hand-rolled cigarettes and a plastic bag containing the drug were found in his cabin safe.

Yesterday in court, Marzigliano apologised for being "very foolish''.

But Magistrate Edward King stated: "The only reason I'm not sending you to prison is because it will cost the taxpayers in this country more money.'' He sentenced Marzigliano to the maximum fine of $1,000 for the offence and said he would imprison him for three months if he could not pay the fine.

"We prefer visitors to bring lots of money to spend in the shops, not spend their money in court fines,'' said Mr. King.

"Do not bring drugs with you into this country, and don't buy them here, either.'' In a separate case, a 16-year-old student from New York pleaded guilty to cannabis possession.

Sgt. Taylor said Dreamward passenger Timothy John Gigi was searched on July 7 when the ship docked in St. George's.

Cannabis weighing 1.4 grams was found in a ziploc bag in his shoe.

Yesterday Gigi said: "I didn't know how severe of a crime, I was committing.'' To which Mr. King responded: "We send people to jail for this sort of thing in this country. But since you're only 16, I'm telling you to kick the habit.'' He ordered Gigi to pay a $250 fine.