The Government's coffers are up by $9,000 after nine cruise ship passengers were charged with the importation of cannabis yesterday.

The tourists, all American, pleaded guilty to importing the controlled drug and were each hit with a $1,000 fine, to be paid immediately or have an extra 90 days stay in Bermuda's "beach houses".

Yesterday's fines mean that cruise ship passengers have now been fined a total of $25,000 for drug and drug paraphernalia possession since the season began just over four weeks ago.

The 22 passengers appearing in Magistrates' Court over the last few weeks were all from America.

Robert Bailey, 34, of Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to importing 1.49 grams of cannabis.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked Bailey had the Police officers told him what the fine would be and, he said: "They said between $500 and $1,000."

Mr. Greaves said: "No it is $1,000 or 90 days in prison."

Crown counsel Shade Subair told the court that the drugs of all the defendants had been found by Police sniffer dogs and with every new case, she said: "Same information."

New Yorker James Cantalupo, 25, pleaded guilty to importing 3.55 grams of cannabis.

Cantalupo said: "I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect to your Island."

Mr. Greaves said: "$1,000 - a grand - payable now or 90 days.

"Everything has a price. You light up - you pay up."

Semus Charles, 36, and the second New Yorker, pleaded guilty to having 6.36 grams of marijuana.

"Pay the fine and the customs duty. $1,000 smackeroos or 90 days inside of the five star in the West," said Mr. Greaves.

"It has it's own beach and it even has nice views."

Fiona Gererty, 22, from Massachusetts, also pleaded guilty to importing 4.86 grams of the controlled substance.

When Mr. Greaves asked if she wished to say anything, Gererty said: "No your honour."

"We keep the air here nice and sweet - enjoy the rest of your stay," said Mr. Greaves before fining her $,1000 or "90 days in the east on the other beach".

New Jersey resident Jamie Skater pleaded guilty to importing 5.33 grams of cannabis on May 19.

The 24-year-old said he was very sorry.

Mr. Greaves said: "Pay today or 90 days extra stay. There is a price for everything."

Timothy Smith, 49, from Connecticut, admitted importing three grams of cannabis.

Mr. Greaves said: "I don't know why all these people on the ship smoke - it must be the steam engines."

Smith was fined the usual $1,000 with an invitation to stay attached.

The only defendant from the west coast of the United States was Christina Vincent, from California.

Vincent admitted to importing 1.03 grams of marijuana and was fined $1,000.

"So many people use this thing - it's like food," said Mr. Greaves.

The final New Yorker Paul Lefkowitz, 28, pleaded guilty to importing 2.08 grams of the controlled drug on May 19.

Mr. Greaves asked Lefkowitz if he enjoyed the Island and, he said: "Yes."

Mr. Greaves said: "I like it so much, I am thinking about taking up permanent residence."

Lefkowitz said: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the law enforcement agencies and to the Government of Bermuda."

Mr. Greaves said: "$1,000. You know how it is, the law is the law. No one said you couldn't break it."

Vermont resident Mary McCue 54, admitted importing 2.14 grams of the cannabis and was also fined $1,000.