LOS ANGELES (AFP) – A former actor in Superman-themed US television series "Smallville" was arrested in Los Angeles on drugs charges, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Sam Jones, 26, who played the young Clark Kent's best friend for three seasons, was arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents Wednesday for conspiracy to sell more than 10,000 pills of oxycodone or oxycontin.

The drug, a powerful opiod painkiller, is often described as "hillbilly heroin." The US Attorney's office said Jones was involved in a series of deals involving the drug in 2008.

According to documents filed in US District Court in Los Angeles Jones was the "Hollywood connection" in a plot to purchase and distribute the substance.

Jones has been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and if convicted faces up to 20 years in federal prison, the US Attorney's Office said.

Airing for the first time in 2001, "Smallville" follows the fortunes of hero Clark Kent before he develops his alternate superhero identity as Superman. The show is now in its ninth season.