Detective and sons held after drugs raid

A Scotland Yard detective is due to appear in court this morning with his two teenage sons charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

The constable, who is based in east London, was held with his children in a raid on his home in Hertfordshire.

The officer is also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.

His two sons, aged 19 and 17, were charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis. A woman, believed to be the boys' mother, was also held and then bailed to return to a police station next month.

Scotland Yard said the officer was also arrested on suspicion of "corruptly passing sensitive police information to others".

Police said that officers were investigating the supply of cannabis in the north London and Hertfordshire area.

The arrests come after the Government downgraded cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug to allow police to concentrate on tackling more serious drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.

The officer and his two sons are due to appear at Hendon magistrates' court today.