Can a cop who has arrested a suspected drug salesman, use the phone of said person to lure potential “customers” in for an arrest?

Can a cop who has arrested a suspected drug salesman, use the phone of said person to lure potential “customers” in for an arrest?

Moral standings aside, is it illegal for a cop to do this? There were no messages on the phone regarding “purchasing” from the owner of either phone, therefore I see no probable cause for the officer to charge conspiracy to purchase. Am I wrong? I’m trying to help a close friend who has found himself in a poor situation.

Asked on August 18, 2012 under Criminal Law, Tennessee

Answers:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.