A 42-year-old female police officer has been arrested in Nicosia on suspicion of illegal drug possession, with procedures already underway to suspend her from duty.

Officers stopped a vehicle driven by the woman on a Nicosia road at around 3pm on Monday.

During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered and seized 3.4 grams of cannabis, four hand-rolled cigarettes containing cannabis and two partially smoked hand-rolled cigarettes also containing the substance.

The 42-year-old was arrested for illegal drug possession and taken into custody.

She is expected to appear before Nicosia district court on Tuesday for charges to be formally filed against her.

Police chief Themistos Arnaoutis has already instructed that procedures be initiated immediately to suspend the officer from duty.

The police then stressed the force’s “zero-tolerance approach” towards any conduct by its members that violates the law, regulations or the principles of the force.

Additionally, it said that all cases are investigated with full transparency and dealt with promptly, without discrimination or exceptions.

The police’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.