Police were yesterday questioning a person believed to have information on an alleged weapon at Penno's Wharf in St. George's'.

A Police spokesperson said: "Around 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Police received information of the presence of a possible weapon at the cruise ship terminal at Penno's Wharf.

"Efforts were made to locate an individual that was believed to be off the cruise ship as well as the item in question. The search resulted in a delay in some passengers being transported back to the cruise ship by the tender.

"Police inquires are ongoing and further information will be released as the investigation progresses. One individual off the cruise ship is assisting Police with their inquiries."

According to a Meyer Representative, the agents for the vessel, the Holland America Veendam arrived on the Island from New York City at 8 a.m. yesterday.

The ship, which laid anchored at Murray's Anchorage, had approximately 1,460 passengers on board.

It was expected to arrive into Hamilton this morning, before leaving for New York on Friday.

Opposition leader Kim Swan said he was glad authorities caught on to the situation. But questioned whether there was enough security at the Island's ports to prevent weapons and drugs from being smuggled in.

Mr. Swan said: "I am pleased that vigilant security brought an alarm to the attention of the authorities. However, there must have been a time lag when this occurred — to alert Customs and Police to administer a problem at our Port of Entry.

"Our cruise ships terminals are of the main ports of entry into Bermuda. We have to ask the question do we have the sufficient authorities (Police and Customs) on surveillance or available at the terminals.

"One of the main ways of getting weapons or illegal drugs into the Island is either through the airport or the docks so we need to make sure that we have effective methods of surveillance and sufficient authorities on hand to protect our port of entry."

The matter is being investigated by the Serious Crime Unit and officers from the Southside Police Station and other units of the Bermuda Police Service.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 295-0011.