Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jul 2004
Source: Royal Gazette, The (Bermuda)
Copyright: 2004 The Royal Gazette Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.theroyalgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2103
Author: Eloisa Mayers

CAUGHT WITH DRUGS, CRUISE PASSENGERS APOLOGISE FOR 'STUPIDITY'

Eight American cruise passengers were fined a total of $8,500 for
importing drugs to the Island.

The visitors pleaded guilty to bringing in various amounts of cocaine
and cannabis, Magistrates' Court heard.

Adam Bortelli, 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a passenger on the
Horizon, was fined $1,000 for importing 4.55 grams of cannabis on July
5.

Stephen Travis Cook, 26, of North Carolina, a passenger on the Horizon
was fined $1,000 for importing 0.97 grams of cannabis on July 1. When
asked if had anything to say, Cook said: "I'm having too much of a
gorgeous time, and I apologise."

Kathleen Cunnis, 44, of New Jersey, a passenger on board the Zenith,
and was fined $1,000 for importing 2.39 grams of cannabis on July 5.
Raymond Cutuli, 64, of Pennsylvania, was fined $1,500 for importing
4.25 grams of cannabis and a wooden pipe intended for his personal
use.

Zenith passenger Ralph Stefano, 52, of New York, was fined $1,000 for
importing 2.03 grams of cannabis on July 5. Stefano was fined $1,000. He
told Senior Magistrate Archie Warner: "It was very bad judgment your honour
and I'm sorry."

Zenith passenger Mark Papa, 48, of Connecticut, was fined $1,000 for
importing 1.68 grams of cocaine. "I made a mistake, sir, and I'm
sorry," said Papa.

William Senlick, 50, of Pennsylvania, a passenger on board the Horizon
was fined $1,000 for importing 2.82 grams of cannabis on July 5. He
told the court: "I'm sorry my stupidity wasted your time today."

Irwin Joseph Thomas, 40, of Florida was fined $1,000 for importing 15.09
grams of cannabis. Thomas, a passenger on board the Zenith, told Mr.
Warner: "I'm sorry for disrespecting your country."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin