Nine cruise passengers who were caught carrying cannabis in their cabins were slapped with hefty fines in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court pulled in $9,000 in the fines when Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves ordered the US tourists to pay the price for bringing drugs to Bermuda or spend 90 days in jail. All pleaded guilty to the charges.

"You drug smugglers are really determined people," said Mr. Greaves.

Passenger Nick Bonaparte, 24, was fined $1,000 for possessing 4.07 grams of cannabis in his ship cabin. Margaret Brooks forked out $1,000 for possessing 5.69 grams of cannabis. Sean Caruzo, 30, was found with 1.98 grams of cannabis in his cabin and paid the $1,000 fine.

Michael Dragon pleaded guilty to importing cannabis and cocaine in addition to a pipe for his use. He was found with 6.6 grams of cannabis and 0.56 grams of cocaine. Dragon was fined $2,000 for two counts of possession and importation.

Jessyca Floyd, 26, pleaded guilty to possessing 23.91 grams of cannabis in her ship cabin. After being ordered to pay her $1,000 fine Floyd asked about a payment plan. "The payment plan is you pay $1,000 now or 90 days.