In a classic case of "buyer beware," an Apple Valley man was busted last week for allegedly selling what were supposedly drugs, but which actually would give nothing more than a sugar high.

Christin Marcelle Banks, 19, faces two felony charges in Dakota County after he allegedly sold what he said were ecstasy pills to an undercover cop. It turned out that most of the "pills" were Skittles candies.

The undercover Dakota County Drug Task Force officer met with Banks, who lives in Apple Valley, on Dec. 22 and bought 21 pills, according to a criminal complaint. The St. Paul Police Department Crime Lab confirmed that two of the pills were indeed ecstasy.

In a second sale Dec. 30, the undercover officer paid Banks $1,500 for what he said were 200 ecstasy pills. Police determined that all of them were only Skittles.

Banks was charged with controlled substance crime and sale of a simulated controlled substance. His next court appearance is March 4.

KATIE HUMPHREY