Man allegedly used homemade line to fish for drugs in police drop box

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Authorities in California said an amateur fisherman cast his homemade line in the wrong place when he was caught fishing for drugs in a police drop box.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office said a sergeant confronted a man spotted using a homemade cord and fishing hook to remove drugs from the Operation Medicine Cabinet drop box in front of the sheriff's Coastal Station in Carpinteria.

Christian Kulbe, 46, had successfully reeled in some drugs and syringes when he was caught early Sunday fishing in the drop box, one of several set up by the sheriff's office and the Santa Barbara County Public Works to allow residents to safely dispose of unused drugs and medications.

"It is important to note that members of the public should not place sharps of any sort into the Operation Medicine Cabinet drop-boxes," the sheriff's office said. "To do so, jeopardizes the safety of the program and its mission to safely dispose of medication in Santa Barbara County. Medicine should be in its original packaging if possible. Loose powders and pills must be sealed in a Ziploc bag."

Kulbe was taken to the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges including possession of stolen property, petty theft, possession of burglary tools, prowling and possession of controlled substances. He was ordered held in lieu of $2,500 bail.