Five American cruise ship passengers were fined for drug possession yesterday prompting lawyer Mark Pettingill to call for tourists to be given more warnings about the Island's strict drug policy.

Todd Michael Bobst, 25, of Pennsylvania, was fined $1,000 for possession of 3.55 grams of cannabis after a Police dog team went aboard the Norwegian Majesty in St. George's on May 12. He was also fined $500 for having 3.18 grams of magic mushrooms and $500 for a drug pipe.

Picked up in that same raid was New Yorker Guiseppe Gelsimino, 31, who was fined $1,000 for 0.74 grams of cannabis while New Jersey man Brian Lennihan, 32, who was fined $1,000 for 6.01 grams of cannabis.

Both men told the court they were here on honeymoon.

Thirty-two-year-old Lori Sorvino was also fined $1,000 for 21.36 grams of cannabis.

Crown counsel Anthony Blackman said although there was concern about whether that quantity was just for personal use, he said there was no evidence she was dealing.

Sorvino said she used cannabis instead of prescribed medication after suffering a miscarriage. She said: "I don't want to be addicted to anything."

William Ciccotto, 33, of New York, was fined $1,000 for 3.96 grams of cannabis after a Police search on a Front Street ship.

Also nabbed in that May 12 raid was Kieron Farrell, 43, of Long Island, who was fined $1,000 for 6.68 grams of cannabis.

Duty counsel Mr. Pettingill said it was time cruise passengers got wise to Bermuda's attitude to drugs.

He said: "We need to let tourists know that we view these matters a lot more seriously than other jurisdictions do."