20 Pilots, co -Pilots Undergo Urine Test

Makassar (Antara) - The South Sulawesi provincial office of the National Narcotics Board (BNNP) conducted urine tests on a total of 20 pilots and co-pilots at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport here on Monday. Only one of them was believed to have consumed some kind of narcotic. BNNP spokesperson Dr Neni said the tests were part of efforts to ensure the safety of passengers traveling to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri festivities. "As many as 10 pilots and 10 co-pilots have undergone urine tests. We only focused on pilots and co-pilots," she stated. When asked about the type of psychotropic substance found in the urine of one of the pilots, Dr Neni declined to comment, saying all of the pilots and co-pilots had tested negative for narcotics. "Based on the results of the urine test, none of the pilots was found to have consumed drugs. They all tested negative," she pointed out. It took five minutes to find out whether or not a pilot had used narcotics, Dr Neni continued. While conducting the urine tests, the BNNP staff were divided into four teams, she noted. All pilots and co-pilots of airline companies such as Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwijaya, Merpati, Trans Nusa, Wings Air, and Ekspres are obliged to take a urine test, Dr Neni added. The urine tests were part of an operation, code-named Operasi Ketupat, aimed at providing security and safety to Idul Fitri homebound travelers, BNNP head Richard M Nainggolan said. (*)