Republican House candidate accused of plotting to plant cocaine on rival

Missouri Republican House candidate Thomas Ross has been charged with allegedly conspiring to plant cocaine and Adderall on his primary opponent, Louise Secker, ahead of their election contest. According to The Daily Beast, Ross allegedly instructed his former campaign manager to place the drugs in Secker’s purse or vehicle and report her anonymously to police.

The former campaign manager later contacted authorities and cooperated with the FBI, providing a glove containing substances that tested positive for cocaine and Adderall. He also reportedly recorded a conversation with Ross about the alleged scheme.

Ross narrowly defeated Secker by 33 votes in the Republican primary. He faces a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.