Drug-related charges against a man and woman have been dismissed after the drugs were not sent to the UK by police for analysis promptly enough.
They had both pleaded not guilty to the offence.
They were arrested in May. But the court heard that the drugs had been sent by Manx police to the UK for analysis on October 10, with the results expected back within eight weeks.
Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon said that the crown was not in a position to say there was a case to answer until the results came back, but if the case was discharged, the prosecution could bring it back to court again once the results were received.
The case had first been due for committal to the Court of General Gaol Delivery on September 17 but that was postponed until October 15 due to the drug test results being awaited.
Representing Mr Myers, advocate David Reynolds described the situation as ’very unacceptable’ as the committal would have to be delayed again if it was to proceed.
Mr Reynolds said that this had also happened with other cases and seemed to be the result of the police trying to save money by sending a number of cases for testing at the same time.
The advocate said that there was no criticism of the prosecution but the defendants were both on bail and anxious about what was happening.
Kate Alexander, representing Ms Corlett, agreed saying that it was not acceptable that the arrest had been made in May and the drugs had still not been tested.
Ms Alexander said that her client ran a business and was losing half a day’s work every time she had to appear in court.
Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith also agreed that the delay was not acceptable and discharged the case against both defendants saying there was no case to answer.