A cruise ship passenger was fined $2,500 after a routine security search led to cocaine being found inside her cabin.

Denise Benzer, 62, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to importing 2.6 grams of the drug into Bermuda when she appeared in Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that Benzer arrived on the island on the Norwegian Prima with friends on May 10.

Security officers at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard randomly searched Benzer’s bag after she disembarked from the vessel.

They then looked inside her cabin and found a bag with a white substance, which was revealed to be cocaine hydrochloride.

Before she was sentenced, a tearful Benzer told the court: “I sincerely apologise, I meant no harm to this beautiful place.”

Senior magistrate Maxanne Anderson fined Benzer $2,500 for the offence.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case.