charges in Magistrates' Court yesterday, claimed they were under the impression that docked vessels were not subject to Bermuda laws.

Cocaine and cannabis was found in the cabins of 24-year-old Dean Allen Ash and 35-year-old Albert Braz during a Tuesday search of the St. Georges-docked cruise liner.

The pair, who are brothers-in-law from Providence, Rhode Island, told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis that the were unaware of local regulations governing the misuse of drugs.

"If I had known, I would not have brought it with me,'' said Ash.

Mr. Francis asked Ash whether he thought a ship docked in New York Harbour fell under New York law.

Ash was fined a total of $800 for possessing 1.29 grams of cocaine and 5.36 grams of cannabis. For the 1.27 grams of cocaine and 2.24 grams of cannabis found in his cabin, Braz was fined $500.