The Riau Islands police chief, Inspector-General Didid Widjanardi, said they would not be allowed to captain their vessels during the Eid-al-Fitr homecoming rush.
The Barelang police`s anti-drug unit tested the urine of captains and crews before they operated the ships during the holiday rush.
The police chief said the exercise was aimed at ensuring passengers` safety. "We want to ensure ships are commanded by `clean and clear` captains," he said.
Earlier, the Barelang police chief, Senior Commissioner Hengki, had ordered tests for pilots and cabin crew too. The test were conducted in cooperation with the National Anti-Drug Agency (BNN) and the Batam health office.
"Last year, one pilot tested positive for drugs," he disclosed.
The Barelang police were also on the watch for drug smuggling during the holiday rush. Some criminals might use the cover of holidaymakers to smuggle drugs, Hengki said and asked aviation security personnel too to be on guard.
Reported by Jannatun Naim
(S022/INE
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
