A cruise ship passenger was fined yesterday after ship security staff smelled burned marijuana outside his room.

Patrick Gallo, 27, from New York, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to importing cannabis to the Island and possessing the drug.

According to Crown counsel Nicole Smith, security officers on the Explorer of the Seas were walking outside Gallo's cabin on Saturday when they smelt cannabis and decided to initiate a search.

Inside the room, they found Gallo holding a partially burned hand-rolled cigarette. A further search of the room found a second partially smoked cigarette and another bag with plant like material.

A total of 2.5 grams of cannabis were found in his cabin.

Police were contacted at around 10.45 a.m. and questioned Gallo, who said: "All right, it's mine."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Gallo $1,500 for importing the cannabis to be paid immediately. There was no additional penalty for the charge of possession.