A group of US teenagers made a disturbing error after robbing a home in Missouri, when they stole what they presumed was a box of cocaine.

The teens stole a range of items, from jewellery to prescription drugs, and the ornamental box. It was only after one of the tens checked the contents of the box, by tasting it, that they realised what they had stolen was not cocaine, but rather cremated remains.

The Smoking Gun reports that the ashes were those of the homeowners father and the teens discarded the box after realising what was in it. The thieves, aged 15-17, threw the ashes out the window of their car.

The trio are now being tried as juveniles. With 17 year-old Darren Gesell confessing to the crime. Gessel told police he was lookout while the others broke into the home.

The Smoking Gun also reports that this isn’t the first time thieves have mistaken ashes for a controlled substance, as in 2011 five people in Florida took a container of what they thought was cocaine or heroin. The group snorted some of the substance before realising it was ashes. The victim later told police the ashes were those of her father and her dogs.