New Delhi: In another incident related to Air India, a co-pilot of the airline has been sent back from the United States as he was allegedly found to be carrying marijuana in his bag. The accused was travelling on a Delhi-San Francisco flight on Tuesday as staff on duty (in passenger cabin) and was supposed to operate the return flight.
Air India issues statement on the incident
According to a report by the Times of India, after the flight arrived in San Francisco, the authorities in the US allegedly found marijuana in his bag. He was reportedly found to have not consumed the substance when he was caught and was kept in the airport. After that, Air India was informed of the incident and he was sent back to India on the next available flight. Also, the airline has informed the DGCA about the incident.
A spokesperson of Air India reportedly said, “One of our crew members travelling from Delhi to San Francisco on April 14, for positioning to operate a subsequent flight, was found to be inadmissible as per local laws and has been sent back to India.”
The spokesperson addded, “Air India maintains zero-tolerance towards any violation of the law and upholds the highest standards of safety, compliance, and professional conduct. Appropriate strict disciplinary action will be taken as per laid down company policies. Ensuring safety, as always, remains Air India’s number one priority.”
Recently, three cabin crew members of the British Airways were hospitalised after they reportedly consumed sweets laced with marijuana. They were given the sweets by a passenger following a flight from London Heathrow to Los Angeles. They unknowingly ate the sweets which had up to 300mg of THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis after the aircraft had landed in Los Angeles. The edibles were reportedly consumed on the crew bus after touchdown, meaning the flight itself was not affected.