The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has suspended a crew member for testing positive for marijuana during random alcohol and drug tests on licensed aviation personnel.
The NCAA said it conducted the test in compliance with a directive from the Director-General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, after issuing a circular to stakeholders in the industry.
According to the regulator, 87 personnel from Air Peace, Medview Airline and Air Traffic Controllers of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency were randomly tested as they were about to embark on flight operations and air traffic control duties.
The NCAA said that out of the 10 pilots and 19 cabin crew from Air Peace Limited; nine pilots and 32 cabin crew members from Med-View Airline; and 10 licensed air traffic controllers and six trainees from the control tower and Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria Centre of NAMA, one crew member tested positive to a psychoactive substance, Tetrahydro-Cannabinol, also known as marijuana.
Although the NCAA did not disclose the identity of the crew member or the airline, it however said he was immediately suspended from carrying out further flight operations.
