A misdirected text message led to a meth bust in Louisiana
Carlo Allegri/Reuters
Authorities in Louisiana arrested a man who they say accidentally texted a deputy to arrange a drug sale, according to the Associated Press.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon told local media that on Friday a deputy received the misdirected text message arranging to deliver crystal methamphetamine from 39-year-old Dwayne Paul Herbert of Pierre Part. The officer agreed, then mobilized the Narcotics Division.
The sheriff said Herbert showed up carrying crystal meth and two firearms. He now faces charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance, and two counts of resisting an officer.
According to the AP, it was unclear if he has an attorney.
This isn't the first time a misdial has turned into a drug bust. In October 2015, South Carolina police responding to a 911 hang-up call encountered Larry Anthony Busha.
Busha told police he had misdialed 911, but deputies said they noticed a handgun in a holster on a table and signs of illegal drugs at Busha's home, which was near an elementary school.
Suspicious, they returned with a search warrant.
"During the search, deputies located several firearms, numerous firearms parts, two ounces of meth and other illegal drugs, illegally-possessed prescription drugs and $84,994 in cash; all of which were seized and taken into evidence," Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper said in a statement issued at the time.
Misdials are human errors, but on other occasions technology being used for illegal activity has let down its master.
In multiple cases, drones being used to transport drugs, weapons and tools, and other contraband into US prisons have crashed. And on the US's southern border, drones and ultra-light aircraft have crashed, sometimes into people's homes, foiling drug-smuggling attempts.