A bungling dealer asked to retrieve his drone from a family's back garden - only to be arrested when it was found to be carrying drugs.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said a homeowner in Lutz called authorities early Tuesday morning, August 19, after a man lost control of his unmanned aerial vehicle, which ended up in their yard.

The suspect, identified as Jason Brooks, 49, reportedly knocked on the front door multiple times, requesting permission to recover the drone.

Residents told authorities they had heard a loud impact at the rear of their home. Upon investigating, they saw a flashing light and found a drone in the backyard. They brought the device inside and, upon inspection, discovered what appeared to be narcotics concealed in a cloth bag.

Authorities recovered the remote-controlled aircraft and seized several bags containing suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Footage shows Brooks, wearing a white tank top and red cap, being arrested by police officers around 1:39 am.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said: 'He's out front in the driveway, holding the remote control for the drone that just crashed, and being an experienced criminal, he plays very coy about, 'I was flying my drone. I live about a mile away, and I believe it crashed in this area, and I'm going in the backyard trying to find my drone'. There's no doubt he was trying to go undetected.'

Investigators also found that the suspect's vehicle was unregistered and lacked a valid number plate.

Brooks was taken into custody and now faces multiple charges, including operating an unregistered vehicle, attaching a number plate not assigned, driving with a cancelled, suspended, or revoked licence, possession of controlled substances with intent to supply, and possession of controlled substances. He also had an out-of-county warrant for failing to appear.