It was a humanitarian gesture gone wrong — depending upon whom you ask.
A Florida man called 911 to ask for a quality control check on the meth he had just bought, saying he wanted to protect others from buying the “fake” product. Police obliged, coming to his door and testing the meth, which was legit, and then arresting him.
The call came in to the Hernando County Sheriff’s office at about 7 p.m. on Thursday, the department said in a statement.
“Upon arrival, deputies met with Thomas Eugene Colucci,” police said. “Colucci told deputies he had recently purchased methamphetamine from a male he met in a local bar, and after having used a bit of it, believed it was actually bath salts. Colucci went on to tell deputies he was an experienced drug user, having used methamphetamine in the past, and ‘knew what it should feel like.’ “
He brought out the suspect products, two small baggies containing a white crystalline substance, and handed them over, explaining that the substance had not provided the sensation he’d been expecting. Worried that other people might buy the “fake” methamphetamine from the same person, and determined to protect fellow contraband-buying humans, Colucci wanted the meth tested and its seller held accountable for any irregularities.
“Colucci wanted deputies to ‘put the person in trouble’ for selling dangerous drugs; however, he was unable to provide a name or any contact info for this individual,” police said. “As requested, a deputy performed a field test on a sample of the white crystal-like substance from each of the baggies. The substance from both baggies tested positive for methamphetamine.”
Colucci, 41, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia. As he was being settled into the back of a patrol car, Colucci complained of chest pains, so he was first brought to a local hospital and then, when cleared by a physician, taken to the Hernando County Detention Center.
Police eagerly broadcast their slate of illicit-drug services to the wider community.
“If you, or someone you know, have doubts about the authenticity of any illegal narcotics you have on-hand or have obtained from another person, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to provide this service, FREE of charge,” the cops said.