A serving Merseyside Police officer has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug.
The 33-year-old was detained in the early hours of Friday morning at Southport nightclub Beach Bar.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that the man is in custody where he will be questioned on the incident.
Beach Bar owner Craig Winder claims that the off-duty officer was attempting to obtain drugs from other customers before the force were called.
He said: “A male was asking to purchase drugs from our customers, and taking drugs in our venue, and as we operate a zero tolerance policy on drugs, they alerted our staff.
“Me and my security then asked them to come outside with us, and for the second time, he started flashing a Police ID badge at us.
“He was clearly intoxicated, and we suspected he was carrying drugs, so we removed their rights of access to the venue and asked them to leave.
“We then informed Sefton CCTV and Merseyside Police who in turn, arrived at the scene and arrested the male. His two friends were allowed to leave.”