importing and possessing marijuana and cocaine.

Timothy Miller, a visitor on board the Meridian , admitted in Magistrates' Court to importing and possession of 4.1 grams of cocaine and 32.08 grams of marijuana on June 20.

Police Prosecutor Sgt. Kenrick James told the court that Joint Importation Squad officers boarded the ship and searched Miller's room.

The officers found 17 partially smoked home made cigarettes and two plastic bags of drugs which Miller confessed was his, Sgt. James said.

But Miller's lawyer Miss Victoria Pearman pleaded with Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis to impose a harsh fine instead of a prison sentence.

Sgt. James, however, urged Mr. Francis to send a strong message to the public.

"Drugs are an abomination.'' he said. " We have to be definitive with regards to the way we deal with this system.'' After listening to lengthy arguments from both sides, Mr. Francis ordered Miller to spend six months at Westgate Correctional Facility.