A teenage Bermudian soccer player has been arrested for alleged drugs smuggling at Miami International Airport.

It is understood Sergio Augustus, 17, was stopped by US Customs as he was attempting to return to the Island from Jamaica via the Florida city.

Meanwhile, The Royal Gazette has learned that a 15-year-old Pembroke boy arrested in Jamaica while in possession of cocaine and marijuana has been fined Jamaican $102,000.

The news came yesterday from a spokesman for the Jamaican Police Service. The fine converts to approximately Bermudian $2,700.

This morning Augustus' mother Wendy was en route to Miami to arrange legal representation for her son.

Customs officials in Miami apparently became suspicious after Augustus became ill at the airport earlier this month.

He was searched and was found to have ingested marijuana -- not cocaine, as some reports yesterday claimed.

Augustus apparently travelled to Jamaica on a charter flight from Bermuda.

But he missed the return leg of the journey and was making his own way home when he was stopped.

Mrs. Augustus last night confirmed her son had been detained in Miami on drugs charges.

But she added: "The information which has been on the radio is not entirely correct.'' Mrs. Augustus added she was set to consult a lawyer on the Island before going to Miami.

And she said: "I can't really say very much at the moment -- if he has done something wrong he will have to pay the price.'' Augustus -- a former pupil at the old Northlands Secondary School -- turned out for his school side before joining Devonshire's Wolves.

He played for the junior side but is understood to have joined Pembroke's Boulevard side last year.

Metro Dade Police, which covers Miami International Airport and the Dade Country Jail last night were unable to supply details of Augustus' arrest.

But a 17-year-old is regarded as a minor under US law and Augustus would not be held in an adult jail.

The Dade County juvenile detention centre said it was policy not to reveal details of youngsters being held in custody.

The 15-year-old arrested in Jamaica cannot be named as he is a minor.

He is understood to have been about to board a charter flight from Jamaica to Bermuda on January 5 when he was nabbed by Jamaican authorities.

Seven packages of marijuana were found strapped to his leg while a further quantity of cocaine was found hidden in the sole of his shoes, The Royal Gazette understands.

A Police spokeswoman confirmed that the Bermuda Police Service was informed of the arrest and added that the boy had been charged in court.

The spokesman reported yesterday that the boy had appeared in court on January 23 and was fined.

He could not reveal whether or not the youth had paid the fine however.

The spokesman said he understood the boy was travelling with a guardian and added that if he had been unable to pay his fine then he would have received a correctional order and been detained.