Detective sacked after drugs smuggled into jail

The Metropolitan Police officer came under suspicion when the prisoner returned to Wormwood Scrubs in west London after being questioned.

The officer has been sacked, and two colleagues have received written warnings, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.

An investigation was launched after the prisoner was temporarily released on September 17 last year to be interviewed over a series of thefts from vehicles.

He was put in the care of three officers all based in the crime squad at Brentford police station. When he returned he was searched and drugs, two mobile phones, three SIM cards and an adapted USB cable were found.

Officials later found that the officers allowed the inmate to visit his family in Whitton.

All three officers denied any involvement in the supply of drugs and phones.