Jimmy Buffett putting drug 'bust' in past

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NEW YORK, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Laid-back singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett says he was both amused and frightened by his recent "drug bust" in France.

French customs officials at Toulon-Hyeres International Airport in Saint Tropez detained Buffett Oct. 6 for allegedly carrying Ecstasy tablets. The pills -- 29 and not the 100 that were reported, were actually the B vitamin supplement Foltx.

"They hauled me into the interrogation room, and I figured I was going to jail," Buffett said. "They were not kidding around."

The misunderstanding was cleared up and Buffett was cleared to leave the country with only a fine for not carrying his prescription. He was, however, disappointed by erroneous press reports about the incident.

"The great thing about it is I was totally innocent," he said.

Buffett -- who just released a new album, "Take the Weather With You" -- said the incident sparked some song ideas, including "Too Long in Toulon" and "Bad News Can Spoil Your Breakfast," the latter inspired by an e.mail from Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.

Buffett will appear on NBC's "Today" show Thursday morning.