The former deputy arrived at work in Castaic with a pound of heroin buried in two Pringles cans and $15,000 in cash in his backpack.

Michael Meiser was assigned to Operation Safe Jails, a unit dedicated to investigating gang and drug activity in the Los Angeles County jails. On Thursday, he admitted trying to smuggle more than a pound of heroin into a lockup.

Michael Meiser, 40, of Lancaster, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.