Authorities yesterday arrested a three-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department for alleged federal drug offenses.

Police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was in federal custody, pending charges. The officer's name was not disclosed.

The department suspended the officer's police powers last year as part of a separate investigation, Yu said. She declined further comment and deferred questions to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. A person in the local DEA office declined to comment.

Yu said the arrest resulted from a joint operation by HPD, DEA and the Hawai'i High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, which is a partnership of federal, state and county law enforcement agencies.

In a brief statement yesterday, Police Chief Boisse Correa said he was "very disappointed" with the officer's arrest.

"But we will continue to work hard to do whatever is necessary to maintain the department's integrity and the public's confidence," Correa said.

Yesterday's arrest was the latest in a string of legal problems involving Honolulu police officers in the past year.

Earlier this year, federal agents searched the homes of six officers as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that the officers helped to set up and protect illegal cockfights in exchange for items of value. No charges have been filed in this investigation.

In May, Harold Cabbab, a 10-year veteran of the force, pleaded guilty to stealing what he thought was crystal methamphetamine and cocaine in a federal sting operation. He faces a prison term of 10 years to life when he is sentenced next month.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.