The suspected drug-dealing senior civil servant worked under British Home secretary Theresa May
A Home Office drugs expert has been arrested on suspicion of supplying crack cocaine.
Nigel Voden, 48, a senior civil servant who works in the drug and alcohol unit at Theresa May's Westminster headquarters, was detained in a planned police raid on Thursday.
Police swooped on a suspected crack den in a block of flats where Mr Voden lives in Harrow, north-west London.
He has now been suspended, the Home Office confirmed.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "We went to an address in Harrow as part of an ongoing investigation.
"Four men aged 18, 25, 37 and 48 were arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply.
"All four were later bailed to come back to us in December."
Mr Voden, a former immigration officer, was chairman of the Home Office's group for gay, bisexual and transgender staff.
Recently he had been co-ordinating a project on potential reform of the "late night levy" which was introduced in 2011 and allows local authorities to charge pubs, clubs and bars which want to stay open late.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm a member of staff has been suspended.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further as it is now a matter for the police.
"The Home Office expects the highest standards of personal integrity from all its staff."
Comment: This is the sort of thing that is rife in a pathocracy.
Need someone to draft government drugs policy? Hire a crack dealer!
Need someone to protect children from child abusers? Hire a pedophile!
When the foxes are guarding the henhouse, is it any wonder society goes to hell in a handbasket?