After being imprisoned for four months, an Australian man has been released after authorities realized the meth he was arrested for was just salt. Details from Independent:
The man from Maryborough, Queensland in Australia was arrested after the substance was found in his car.He was then detained for four months while police carried out forensic tests. Charges were dropped against the man after the returned test results confirmed that the substance was indeed Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate).
The man’s lawyer mentioned the length of time was likely due to his client’s previous criminal convictions. The mistake is a small piece in a very large scale debate going on about the delay forensic testing has in Queensland’s Health Forensic and Scientific Services. A local magistrate (civil officer) said nothing has been done in nearly 15 years about the issue.
It might sound crazy, but don’t put it above people to try to sell you salt and say it’s meth. There are no returns in the drug business, so people will straight up try to sell you blades of grass and say it’s weed. Walk down the street on University Way and tell me I’m wrong.