US national fined for bringing drugs on to cruise ship in Bermuda

A United States national has until the end of this week to pay a fine of US$4,500 after he admitted to bringing drugs worth an estimated US$4,000 into Bermuda.

Magistrate Tyrone Chin imposed the fine on Robert Alexander, 42, who pleaded guilty to importing MDMA, cannabis, and PCP, a hallucinogen known on the street as angel dust. Alexander also pleaded guilty to possession of each of these drugs and has been remanded in custody until the fine is fully paid.

The court heard that Alexander was aboard a Carnival Cruise ship from New York that arrived in Dockyard last Thursday. After undergoing a compliance check with Customs officers, he left the ship and denied having any drugs on him when questioned. However, when asked to empty his pockets, he hesitated before complying.

A further search revealed a small bag containing plant-like material, which Alexander later admitted was cannabis.

During a subsequent search, Alexander pulled out a blue pill and attempted to ingest it. Despite Customs officers’ requests to spit out the pill, he refused and tried to put the bag of plant matter back into his pocket. Officers later searched his cabin, discovering another bag of plant-like material, as well as bags containing blue crystalline matter and white powder.

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The seized items were tested and identified as 8.85 grams of cannabis, 21.5 tablets of MDMA, and mixed quantities of PCP.

The prosecution noted that the amount of drugs suggested an intent to supply, though it appeared to be for personal use. The prosecutor stated that the combined street value of the drugs was approximately US$4,450 and argued that Alexander should be fined the equivalent amount.