A 20-year-old vacationing passenger on board The Norwegian Majesty contributed $500 to the Government coffers yesterday.

Ryan Mathew Mechan, of Vivian Drive, Albuquerque New Mexico received the $500 fine after admitting he had cannabis and drug equipment.

When The Norwegian Majesty arrived on the Island on Tuesday, the ship's security alerted local Customs officers and Police that Mechan might have drugs.

Officers, along with Police narcotics dogs searched Mechan's cabin and discovered the cannabis in a film cannister inside a black Jansport sportsbag.

Officers proceeded to search the bathroom where they discovered the smoking pipe filled with ash.

Under interrogation at St. George's Police Station, he admitted that the bag belonged to him and said that he had bought the drugs in New Mexico.

A Government analyst found 0.92 grammes of cannabis in the cannister and 0.05 grammes of residue in the pipe.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked if he had anything to say and Mechan responded: “I apologise to the people of Bermuda for bringing the cannabis to the Island.”

Mr. Greaves fined him $500 for possession of the cannabis which he was ordered to pay immediately.