A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was arrested in connection with an investigation into drug smuggling into the county jail complex in Castaic.

CASTAIC, Calif. (KABC) — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested on felony charges, reportedly related to an investigation into drug smuggling into the county jail complex in Castaic.

Jail records show the deputy was arrested on April 30 and charged on May 1, but records do not specifically indicate why the arrest occurred.

“The department’s Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau has initiated an investigation into allegations against an employee,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “We arrested the employee on April 30 on felony charges. The employee is relieved of his duties until the outcome of the case.”

Eyewitness News has learned the identity of the arrested deputy. Michael Meiser worked as an investigator at the North County Correctional Facility. The 39-year-old’s work for the department included the prison’s anti-gang unit, known as Operation Safe Jails.

According to a Los Angeles Times report that cited law enforcement sources, Meiser is accused of smuggling heroin into the prison complex.

The outlet reported that the deputy had been under surveillance “for a long time.” A source described Meiser’s arrest as part of a larger operation to prevent drug use in prison.