JIMMY BUFFETT - BUFFETT SLAMS FRENCH OFFICIALS FOR DRUG BUNGLE

BUFFETT SLAMS FRENCH OFFICIALS FOR DRUG BUNGLE

LATEST: American singer JIMMY BUFFETT has slammed French authorities for detaining him last week (ends08OCT06) after they found 100 "ecstasy" tablets in his luggage, insisting the pills were only vitamins. The Grammy Award winner flew into Toulon-Hyeres International Airport in the south of France on a private plane when he was stopped by customs officials. Buffett was fined 300 euros ($380/GBP200) and released without charge, but the incident has left him furious. He writes on his internet blog, "I don't know about you, but at a few months away from turning 60, I carry a few prescriptions, including a B vitamin supplement called Foltx... 'Ecstasy,' they said. "I have never taken it and couldn't tell you the difference between a hit of ecstasy and (over-the-counter pain reliever) Excedrin PM. "My vices these days consist of boat drinks, beer, wine and the occasional hot fudge sundae. "I paid the fine, gathered my bags and my friends and as soon as they opened that door, I walked, rather rapidly, towards my plane and flew out. "The stern-faced authorities couldn't take the truth as the simple answer...(and tried) to turn vitamins into ecstasy." The CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE singer was on his way to St Tropez for a holiday when he was stopped.