A Fagatogo female and a 58-year-old Caucasian male from Taputimu who were busted at the post office a week apart have been released, pending the results of samples that have been sent to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for further analysis.

Both suspects were taken into police custody following a routine Customs inspection at the Fagatogo Post Office on March 11 and 18, respectively. The parcels they claimed tested positive as SPICE, or synthetic marijuana.

The female was taken into custody by officers from the DPS Vice and Narcotics Unit but has since been released. Samoa News understands that her boyfriend has already admitted to police that the package was intended for him and was sent from his brother who lives in the mainland. He is yet to be charged and arrested.

The Caucasian male who was apprehended a week later for the same thing has also been released, pending the results of the lab tests from off island.

Samoa News understands that verification of the contents that were discovered is needed before criminal charges can be filed against the pair.

A source in the Police Department said that once the results reveal that controlled substances are present on the “potpourri-looking” drugs, arrest warrants will be issued.

Unlike traditional marijuana, SPICE is a mixture of herbs and spices that are typically sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. SPICE is considered to be much more dangerous than marijuana, due to the chemicals that are added to it and the effects it has on users. However, it has been difficult for states to have specific laws about the illegality of SPICE due to its potpourri mix, which is not uniform in mixture or content.