A US couple yesterday appeared in Magistrates’ Court today after cannabis was discovered in their cruise ship cabin.

Maria Derenzin, from Passaic, and Ibn Muhammad, from Newark, both New Jersey, admitted importation of the drug into the island on the Norwegian Escape.

The court heard that after the ship arrived in port on Wednesday, officers searched the couple’s cabin.

They found two hand-rolled cigarettes and a bag that contained 22g of cannabis.

Derenzin, 24, told the court that she had a New Jersey licence to use cannabis for medical purposes.

Muhammad, also 24, said he was in the process of getting a similar licence.

Both apologised to the court and the island.

Karen King, for the prosecution, said fines of $2,000 each would be appropriate.

But Bruce Swan, duty counsel, said the couple could pay $1,500 each today, which would mean they would not miss the ship’s departure.

Magistrate Maxanne Anderson fined Derenzin and Muhammad $2,000 each, and ordered that the fines be paid immediately.

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