Swedish customs workers say pot plants were for research

HELSINGBORG, Sweden, April 24 (UPI) -- A pair of Swedish customs workers accused of growing marijuana plants at a customs facility said their actions were strictly for research.

Prosecutor Mats Eriksson told the Helsingborg Dagbladet newspaper the two workers at the Swedish Customs offices in Helsingborg were found to be growing a small number of marijuana plants on the premises and were reported for professional misconduct, The Local.se reported Wednesday.

"But there are also suspicions of narcotics crimes. In itself, it's no serious narcotics crime, it's not exactly like they had an amphetamine lab," Eriksson said. "The serious thing is that this occurred at Swedish Customs and that it was during working hours."

The men said the only reason they grew the plants was as an experiment "to find out how fast they grow."

Helsingborg Dagbladet said the men have been temporarily replaced and their keys have been revoked. It was unclear whether they are being fired.

Malmo police said they are investigating.