A New Jersey man was fined $2,000 in Magistrates' Court yesterday after he admitted importing 8.42 grammes of cannabis.

Frederick Davidson pleaded guilty to importing the drug in his underwear on a flight from Newark, on October 19.

Davidson, who was visibly shaking and teary-eyed, apologised to the court saying: "I did not know that it was illegal. I was misinformed by a friend who told me that it was not illegal on the Island."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner asked: "If you thought it was legal then why did you hide it in your underpants?"

To which Davidson replied: "It is illegal to take it out of the United States. I am truly sorry I have hurt myself, my family and my employer."