A Mexican police chief has been suspended after he was filmed snorting several lines of cocaine with a rolled-up banknote.

Juan Carlos Mejia Pedroza, age not stated, who is the Chief of Public Security for the Villa Guerrero municipality in the State of Mexico, was suspended after the video apparently taken by a friend of his of him snorting a white substance believed to be cocaine was shared on social media earlier this week (27th April).

In the short clip, Pedroza looks directly at the camera, picks up a rolled-up banknote and then snorts two of the three lines of white powder from a small metal dish.

The city council has responded to the allegations by suspending Pedroza whilst an investigation is opened into the incident.

In a statement, the city council said: “We believe the Director of Public Security has behaved inappropriately for a public servant and as a result, Juan Carlos Mejia Pedroza has been removed from his position whilst an investigation is carried out.”

Local news outlet El Sold De Mexico claims that Pedroza, whose wife is the local mayor, has also been accused of forcing members of the police force to carry out errands for him, and even do work on his house whilst threatening to have them fired if they refuse.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.