Botched Jolly Rancher Meth Arrests Cost NYPD $33,000

The NYPD has settled a lawsuit filed by men who were arrested after officers mistook their Jolly Ranchers for meth.

The Smoking Gun reports that 23-year-old Omar Ferriera and 26-year-old Love Olatunjiojo were arrested last year after exiting It'Sugar in Coney Island. Police were convinced they had retrieved "quality methamphetamine," even telling prosecutors in Brooklyn that the substance they recovered had tested positive for drugs in the field. Meanwhile, a third man, 27-year-old Jimmy Sano, was arrested for trying to protest Ferriera and Olatunjiojo's arrests.

Unfortunately, further tests proved that the aforementioned "quality methamphetamine," was, in fact, candy as the men insisted. Charges against Ferriera and Olatunjiojo were dismissed, and the trio was awarded a total of $33,000 in settlement money.

As for the police, well, this is what being overzealous gets you.

[via The Smoking Gun]

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