Cruise ship visitor with drugs ‘made a big mistake’
An American cruise ship passenger who landed a $3,000 fine after 13 spliffs were found in his cabin admitted: “I made a big mistake.”
Richard Battistella, 39, from New Jersey, pleaded guilty at Magistrates’ Court to importing cannabis to Bermuda.
Prosecutor Larissa Burgess told the court customs officers conducted a search of the
Explorer of the Seas at Dockyard.
A sniffer dog led them to Battistella’s cabin and a bedside drawer, where they found 13 hand-rolled cigarettes containing plant material.
She said: “Later that day, the defendant returned to his cabin and was subsequently detained. Police arrived and took possession of the cigarettes.”
Battistella told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner: “I made a big mistake. It won’t happen again. When I was arrested, I was truthful, honest and respectful.”
Mr Warner fined him $3,000, with 30 days in jail if he fails to pay.
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