Garuda co-pilot tests negative for psychotropic drugs | The Jakarta Post
Garuda Indonesia co-pilot Viktor Munoz Lopez, who was accused of using psychotropic drugs, has tested negative for the substances, according to an announcement on Tuesday.
The announcement was made following a string of further investigations carried out by two independent institutions in Makassar, South Sulawesi: Siloam Hospital and Prodia Laboratory.
A similar investigation, witnessed by external entities, was also carried out by an internal team from Garuda Indonesia.
“The three institutions carrying out the further investigation said based on the examination results, co-pilot Victor Munoz Lopez tested negative for psychotropic drugs,” said Garuda Indonesia vice president of corporate communications, Pujobroto, in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post, on Wednesday.
The statement says that not only psychotropic drugs but also prescribed medicines from physicians can carry indications for use.
“Even when it was not yet proven, Garuda Indonesia had taken measures to ground co-pilot Victor Munoz Lopez for further investigation,” said Pujobroto.
Lopez was previously accused of testing positive for psychotropic drugs by the South Sulawesi branch of National Narcotics Agency (BNN).
South Sulawesi BNN chief Sr. Comr. Richard P. Nainggolan said according to an initial examination, there were only indications that Lopez had used psychotropic drugs, so a further investigation was required.
Richard also claimed he had never said that Lopez tested positive for the substances.
He made the clarification in a press conference at the Idul Fitri 1434 H post in Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday evening.
“Based on clarifications from the head of South Sulawesi BNN and the results of the further examinations, Garuda Indonesia will still employ co-pilot Lopez for flight duties,” said Pujobroto. (ebf)