after he was fined $1,700 yesterday for possessing cannabis.

Michael Dye, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to possessing 8.46 grams of cannabis and possessing drug equipment -- cigarette papers -- on November 22 in St. George's.

Prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Customs officials searched Dye when he arrived at the Airport.

Four small zip-lock bags containing cannabis were found in his underpants.

Duty counsel Sonia Grant said the cannabis was for Dye's personal use.

Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp fined Dye $1,500 for the cannabis and $200 for having the cigarette papers.

COLLEGE FAIR PLANNED ED CON College Fair planned The Ministry of Education is hosting two seminars for parents who are planning to send their children to university.

Two American educators will come to Bermuda for the seminars and speak on issues such as college selection, college financing and the admissions process.

The first seminar is on Tuesday from 7 until 9 p.m. in the Harbour Room at the Number One terminal in Hamilton.

It will address the role parents play in the college planning process and Ron Ancrum, principal of Ancrum and Solomon from Boston, and Arthur Affleck, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, will address the gathering.

The second seminar entitled "College Fair Programme for Parents'' takes place next Thursday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Princess Hotel. Representatives of more than 40 colleges in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will attend and answer questions.

Anyone wishing more information is asked to contact the Ministry of Education at 236-6904.

See tomorrow 's Royal Gazette for a special advertising section on the College Fair.

PASSENGER ROBBED CRM Passenger robbed A 34-year-old Somerset man learned over the weekend to never hitch a ride with strangers.

Police spokesperson Evelyn James Barnett said the man was robbed early on Sunday morning after he accepted a ride in a car with three other passengers near Elbow Beach.

The victim, she said, was robbed of a quantity of cash and then ordered out of the car near St. Michael's Road in Paget.

Mrs. James Barnett said a 39-year-old Sandys man was assisting Police with their inquiries.

NEW JERSEY MAN FINED CTS New Jersey man fined A visiting American yesterday made a hefty contribution to local coffers after he was fined $900 for possessing cannabis.

Edward B. Koon, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to possessing 4.59 grams of cannabis on November 22 in St. George's.

Prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette told Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp that Koon arrived at the Airport at 2 p.m. and was searched by Customs officers.

Officers found the cannabis in two zip-lock bags in Koon's shoes.

BARMAN STOLE FROM TILL CTS Barman stole from till A Warwick man admitted in Magistrates' Court this week that he stole $1,200 from the club where he worked as a bartender.

Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp referred Cornell Edwards, 45, to Probation Services and told him to return to court on January 7.

Edwards -- a self confessed drug addict -- was working at the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club on November 22 when he removed $1,200 from his float.

He later went to Hamilton Police Station with a medical problem and reported stealing the money before being rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE CHU Thanksgiving service The Island's American community is invited to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow with an 11 a.m. mass at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton.

All are invited to join Governor Lord Waddington, Premier David Saul and US Consul General Robert Farmer for the service. Guests are requested to be seated by 10.45 a.m.