An American man was fined $2,200 yesterday after he admitted the importation of drugs to the island.

Magistrates' Court heard that Semyon Pustylnik, 30, was stopped by customs officials after he left the Norwegian Escape cruise ship in Dockyard.

He told them that he had a medical marijuana card after they discovered he had a grinder and vape pen.

A search of his cabin found two glass jars containing a plant substance, later found to be marijuana.

Pustylnik, from Cranston, Rhode Island, told officers: “Since you found everything else, do you want the package on my thigh?”

A clear plastic bag strapped to his inner thigh was discovered during the search.

He told police while in custody that he had a medical marijuana card.

Pustylnik added: “I am very sorry, it's my medication.”

The court heard the customs haul, which happened on September 6, totalled about 30 grams of marijuana.

The vape pen was found to contain traces of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.

Pustylnik said that he meant “no disrespect” to the island.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo asked Pustylnik why drugs were found strapped to his thigh.

Pustylnik claimed that they had actually been discovered in his pocket, not strapped to his person.

Mr Tokunbo fined Pustylnik $2,000 for importing the cannabis and $200 for importing delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol.

Pustylnik was ordered to pay both fines before he left the island.

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