The former second-in-command of a California city says he was working "deep undercover" when he was recorded talking about buying marijuana his lawyer told jurors at the start of a federal criminal trial.
The Fresno Bee reported Wednesday that wiretaps also recorded Fresno's former deputy Police Chief Keith Foster contemplating the purchase of heroin and prescription painkillers.
Foster has pleaded not guilty to charges of distributing oxycodone, heroin and marijuana. The paper reported Foster turning down a deal to plead guilty in exchange for a nearly 4-year prison term.
The paper reported that Foster's contact with drug dealing suspects was done without his supervisor's knowledge. Foster's attorney told jurors his client was responding to an order to determine whether heroin was causing problems in Fresno.