US cruise tourist busted with pot in Bermuda

In Magistrates Court this morning [Sept.22], 35-year-old American tourist Gabriel Rivera pleaded guilty to possession of 6.0 grams of cannabis.

In Magistrates Court this morning [Sept.22], 35-year-old American tourist Gabriel Rivera pleaded guilty to possession of 6.0 grams of cannabis.

The DPP’s evidence was that on the afternoon of 21 September 2011, Bermuda Customs officers working with a canine unit for interdicting illegal drugs had been attracted to cabin 9073 on board the cruise-ship Norwegian Gem.

At the time of detection, the cabin was unoccupied, and a search of the cabin found a plastic bag containing plant material.

Mr Rivera arrived later, admitted to occupying the cabin and admitted ownership of the package. He was then arrested, escorted off the ship, and taken to Somerset Police Station. On analysis, the plant material was found to be cannabis weighing 6.0 grams.

The DPP Prosecutor said that the amount was twice the 3.0 gram upper limit guideline which set the limit which could be handled by a different process and that Mr Rivera’s case had been vetted by the DPP’s office.

Magistrate Archie Warner fined the tourist $1,000 or 90 days prison in default and ordered that the fine be paid forthwith.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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