An American cruise ship passenger was fined $4,000 yesterday after she admitted possession of cannabis and drug equipment.

Magistrates’ Court heard Meghan George, 41, from Pennsylvania, George was caught with two bags of plantlike material in her purse by Customs officers as she tried to board the Anthem of the Seas in Dockyard.

Officers searched her cabin and found three marijuana pipes, a grinder and an electronic cigarette cartridge holding cannabis oil in her suitcase.

She was arrested the next morning and remanded in custody.

Bruce Swan, George’s defence lawyer, said she placed the drugs and equipment “without thought” as she packed for her trip.

He explained she put the drugs in her bag to avoid smoke in her house from a neighbour’s house fire. He explained: “She threw it into her bags in order to avoid the smoke that collected in her room and she didn’t realise what they were until after she made it to Bermuda.

“She understands that she broke the law and she had no intention of doing so.”

The offence happened on Monday night. George pleaded guilty to four counts of drug possession.

She apologised to the court and said she was unaware of Bermuda’s drug laws.

She added: “This has been the biggest mistake I’ve made in my life and I’m sorry.”

Magistrate Juan Wolffe heard that possession of cannabis has been decriminalised in Pennsylvania but is still illegal.

Mr Wolffe reminded George that the legal position in the United States was not an excuse for breaking the law in Bermuda.

Mr Wolffe ordered George to pay the fine before she left the island.

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