An American tourist was fined $2,000 in Magistrates' Court yesterday after admitting to importing marijuana.

Robert Garafolo, 33, arrived on a commercial flight from Boston, Massachusetts, on Monday around 11.45 a.m. He cleared immigration and was in the Customs control line when a drug sniffer dog took an interest in his "groin area".

The court heard Garafolo was selected to go to the secondary inspection area and was then asked by Customs officers if he would object to a personal search. Garafolo was initially hesitant, then said: "Excuse me madam, I would like to confess now, it's only a matter of time. I do have drugs in my crotch area."

Customs officers asked him how much drugs he had, to which he replied: "Not much, just enough for two joints."

A clear plastic bag containing 2.74 grams of cannabis was found in the underwear he was wearing and Garafolo admitted: "It's mine. I brought it because I get migraines, headaches."

Yesterday in court the tourist apologised for his actions and was then slapped with a fine by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, who ordered him to pay immediately.