Three people were arrested after the drug squad found 30 opium poppy plants in Nicosia, police said on Friday.

The plants, ranging from one to one and a half metres high, were found during a warranted search in the capital following a tip off.

Officers found that the fruit of some of the plants had been torn with a sharp object to secret liquid opium from the poppies (papaver somniferum).

A number of dried poppy plants were also found, as well as a number of tools used to cultivate the plants.

Two people, aged 44 and 40, who reside in the house were arrested.

During investigations, evidence emerged against a third suspect, aged 44, who was also arrested near his house on Thursday night.

Nothing objectionable was found during a search in his house, police said.

However, a bag with dried poppy plants was found in a plot next to the house, which was taken in for further scientific examinations.