The head of Colombia's anti-narcotics police has been moved from his post amid allegations that millions of dollars of US funding have been misappropriated.

General Gustavo Socha has been transferred to another section of the police force, responsible for VIP security, while investigations continue.

The United States has put a freeze on its huge anti-drugs programme in Colombia after realising $2m of its money had gone astray.

"We discovered two months ago diversion of funds from an account used by the anti-narcotics police to cover administrative expenses, and after an investigation we informed Colombian authorities about it," a statement from the US Embassy in Bogota said.

Embarrassment

General Socha had said he would not resign and said six officers had been dismissed over what he called procedural errors.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that up to 20 officers were involved in diverting the funds for their personal use.

General Socha has been replaced by General Jorge Enrique Linares who now faces the task of re-establishing his force's credibility.

The BBC's correspondent in Colombia, Jeremy McDermott, says the incident is embarrassing for both the Colombian and US governments - President George W Bush is increasing aid to what is already the third largest recipient of US military aid after Israel and Egypt.

Mr Bush wants to broaden his war on terrorism to include Colombia, as three of the country's warring factions are on Washington's terrorism list.

But our correspondent says accusations of police corruption will provide more fuel to opponents of further involvement in Colombia's bloody civil conflict.

Several US congressmen have said there is little to show for the billion dollars of aid former President Bill Clinton granted to Colombia.