SPARTA— Authorities say a northwestern New Jersey man mistakenly sent a text message to a police detective to set up a drug sale.

Nicholas Delear Jr. of Sussex now faces numerous drug charges.

Authorities say an Andover Township detective received the text message on his new cell phone Friday night. The sender said he had a quarter pound of marijuana for sale and wanted to set up a meeting at a Sparta pizzeria.

Authorities collected four bags of marijuana and other paraphernalia from Nicholas Delear Jr.

Delear met later that night with an undercover police officer, but fled when he became suspicious. Police soon stopped his vehicle, but the 33-year-old Delear refused to consent to a vehicle search.

Authorities obtained a warrant after a police dog detected drugs in the vehicle. They found four plastic bags containing marijuana, a digital pocket scale and $620.00.

He is scheduled to appear in Sparta Municipal Court on Oct. 10.



The Associated Press contributed.

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