Unforced Error

I enjoyed this one. From Leadville, Colorado:

At least once a year, counties are required to publish in local papers (under the heading of legal or public notices) lists of expenses. The [drug] informant was, at Holte's direction, supposed to be listed under "road and bridge employees." Instead he was listed as a sheriff's employee. It was the fault of the county clerk and recorder's office, not the newspaper.

[...]

Believing the undercover operation had been destroyed that night, Holte, his deputies and Leadville police obtained warrants before midnight. Within a few hours, they had arrested 11 suspects in the drug ring. Three others named in warrants fled town that night.

[...]

The money to pay the informant came from a state grant, Holte said. The county will probably get the grant again, he said, meaning more undercover operations are likely.

[...]

"A big cocaine ring like this is unusual," she [local newspaper editor] said. "Up here it's usually pot. I can't remember how many photos we've run of deputy sheriffs with a big plant under each arm."

Full article here.