returned home on Saturday after managing to have his fine lowered.

Brian Thompson, 19, had been remanded in custody because he could not pay fines totaling $4,350 for importation of cannabis, possession of cocaine and possession of drug equipment.

He was arrested along with Curtis Brewster and Henry Buchholtz after they were searched by Customs officers upon disembarking from the Song of America in St.

George's last Tuesday.

The other two men were fined a total of $4,600 for possession of cannabis and drug equipment by Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp.

They managed to raise the funds to pay their dues and left Bermuda on Thursday afternoon.

Thompson went before Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux on Friday afternoon and appealed his sentence on the grounds that Mrs. Mapp had failed to take into account his means.

He was represented by Richard Horseman who said yesterday that while importation was a very serious offence, Mrs. Mapp should have considered Thompson's ability to pay the fine.

Mr. Justice Meerabux reduced the fine to $2,500 from $3,800 for the importation of cannabis, which allowed Thompson to pay up and leave the Island.