A deputy with the Anson County Sheriff's Department in North Carolina was arrested this week after police discovered he planted drugs in the car of his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend as part of a revenge plot.

Deputy David Scott Burroughs is accused of purchasing drugs such as heroin and meth and planted them in the car of his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend. The deputy's colleagues became suspicious after he told them about several anonymous tips he had received in May 2018 that the new boyfriend had been dealing drugs out of his car.

"This was a revenge case where he planted drugs in this male's car," Sheriff Landric Reid said, WSOC-TV reported. "This male was dating his ex, and he wanted revenge, and he wanted his ex-girlfriend back."

Reid says Burroughs alerted them to the tips on a Sunday afternoon, but by the time sheriff's deputies stopped the victim on Wednesday, the drugs were located in the same place in the car.

"That was a red flag because anyone selling drugs wouldn't have them Sunday to Wednesday in the same place," Reid said.

That's when the Anson County Sheriff contacted the state's Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter. During the course of their investigation, detectives learned that Burroughs purchased drugs in March 2018 and had planted them in his ex's new boyfriend's car.

The sheriff fired Burroughs immediately after discovering the scheme last year. Burroughs was arrested last week once state investigators wrapped up their investigation.

Sheriff Reid says he's grateful that his detectives were able to discover the deception before an innocent man's life was ruined.

Burroughs is currently out on bond and is due back in court on April 16.

Photo: Anson County Sheriff's Department