Former top cop arrested in Cook Islands on drugs charges

File photo / NZ Herald

A former New Zealand police officer is in custody in a Rarotonga jail on drugs charges after a year-long investigation.

It is alleged the man, who has name suppression in the Cook Islands, was operating as a local drug dealer and selling cannabis from a bar.

He headed high profile police inquiries in New Zealand before moving to the Cook Islands five years ago, TV One News reported.

New Zealand officers have been in Rarotonga investigating corruption and the distribution of cannabis and other drugs over the past week and 13 people have been arrested.

The judge presiding over the case has said he will be sending the very strong message that drug dealing will not be tolerated.

The man appears in court again on Friday.

- NZPA