An US national has been fined $3,000 for importing just over 50 grams of cannabis into Bermuda.

Kiaya Thompson, 33, who resides in Maryland and was visiting Bermuda to attend a wedding, said she was unaware of Bermuda’s laws pertaining to the controlled drug.

Thompson pleaded guilty yesterday in Magistrates’ Court to bringing in 51.35g of cannabis on a commercial airline on October 17.

The court heard that on that day, Thompson was stopped during customs control at LF Wade International Airport and had her bag searched.

An officer found plant material rolled up in a sock. When asked if there was any more in her luggage, Thompson confirmed there was another package, which the officer found in her bag.

She was arrested and escorted to Hamilton Police Station, where the material was processed and confirmed to be cannabis.

Thompson told the court: “I apologise to the courts, I wasn’t aware you can’t bring over cannabis. I pointed out where it was, I wasn’t trying to hide anything. I just wanted to come and have a good time.”

Nicole Smith, for the defence, said Thompson insisted the drugs were intended for personal use only, and highlighted that she had entered an early guilty plea and apologised for her mistake.

Magistrate Maria Sofianos ordered she pay $3,000.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding court cases. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers