Police are investigating an apparent attempt to smuggle drugs in a shampoo container to a detainee in custody in Paphos, the Cyprus New Agency reported on Thursday.

It said that the alleged attempt by the 35-year-old man was spotted by police. He was questioned, allegedly admitted to the attempt, and was released pending scientific tests.

The Cyprus News Agency said that at around 21.50 on Wednesday, the suspect had gone to the police detention area to take essential items to a detainee.

During examination of the items with X-ray equipment there, a suspicious object was spotted in the shampoo and the anti-narcotics squad was notified. They carried out a physical check and found a glass smoking device inside of which was a sealed straw which appeared to contain 0.5 grams of methamphetamine

The man was questioned by Paphos anti-narcotics polices at Paphos police headquarters where he admitted to committing the offence, the news agency added citing a police announcement.

He was allowed to leave pending tests, it added.