A SECURITY guard was arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The 22-year-old man was held on December 22 and charged with misconduct in a public office for dealing drugs to prisoners.

Police are investigating whether the man also smuggled mobile telephones and other contraband to prisoners.

He has been suspended by private security firm Serco and is on police bail until a court hearing on March 4.

The police, Serco and the Prison Service launched a joint operation after being tipped off that security guards were selling drugs to prisoners.

A 21-year-old woman was arrested the following day at Inner London Crown Court in South London and charged with the same offence and a 31-year-old male colleague was arrested and charged with possessing controlled drugs with intent to supply.

The three accused are not thought to be connected.

A spokesperson for Serco said: “A member of our Court Escorting and Custody Services staff has been suspended pending the outcome of a police investigation.”