about Bermudian drug laws cost him $700 in fines.

Peter Robert Viento, 29, of New York State, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and cigarette papers in connection with the misuse of a controlled drug.

Insp. Duffy said that Police searched Viento as he left a cruise ship in Hamilton on Monday. They discovered a zip bag which included a plastic bag containing plant material. It also contained a handmade cigarette containing plant material and a quantity of cigarette papers.

The material was sent a Government analyst who found it was 6.42 grams of cannabis.

Viento told the court: "I want to apologise to Bermuda. I was mislead. I was told it was legal in Bermuda by my travel agent.'' Mr. Francis said: "With the greatest respect I should not use that travel agent again. We are very tough on drug offences.'' Mr. Francis said that anyone who thinks drugs are legal in Bermuda probably does not know where Bermuda is.

Viento was fined $600 for possession of the drug and $100 for possession of the drug equipment.

NO JOY FOR US STUDENT CTS No joy for US student The fizz went out of William Brascom's vacation when Customs found the cocaine he had stashed in a soda can.

The US student had $2,300 worth of the drug in a specially adapted can, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

The 13-gram stash was seized by Customs officers when the 20-year-old flew into the Island with his Bermudian girlfriend last Friday.

Customs officers found several Sunkist orange soda cans in Brascom's bag, prosecutor Insp. Peter Duffy told the court.

One of them was heavier than the others, and when officers questioned Brascom he admitted it contained cocaine.

When the can was taken apart, a built-in cavity with a plastic package was discovered. Mr. John Cooper, defending, told the court Brascom was a business school student from New Jersey who had the drug for his own use. Brascom's girlfriend had known nothing about the drug, he said.

Brascom admitted importing and possessing cocaine, and was fined $1,450.

DRINK DRIVER FINED, BANNED CTS Drink driver fined, banned A Hamilton Parish man was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to driving while impaired.

Frederick John Simons, 19, of Sleepy Hollow, was stopped by Police after he was seen travelling at a high speed on his auxiliary cycle along North Shore Road, Devonshire, on Saturday, August 22.

Insp. Duffy said that Police warned Simons about his speed, and detected a strong smell of alcohol when he spoke. They also noticed that his eyes were glazed, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

Simons refused to give samples and was taken to Hamilton Police Station.

JET SKIER FINED CTS Jet skier fined A Southampton man was fined $150 after he was caught marine speeding on a jet ski.

Brighton Swan, 24, of the Riviera Estate, was seen travelling at 15 knots in the Great Sound, between Bird Island and Agar's Island on Saturday, July 25, by Police. Swan admitted his guilt.

NOT HIS CAR CTS Not his car A 49-year-old Southampton man was fined $300 after driving a friend's car without insurance. Jack Edmund Smith, of Granaway Heights, was stopped by Police and found to have no third party insurance for the vehicle.

CITY SPEEDER FINED CTS City speeder fined A Warwick man was fined $120 for speeding on Dundonald Street, in Hamilton.

Ali Sheed, 46, of Sandy Mount Lane, pleaded guilty to travelling at 48 kph earlier this year.