Biman grounds crewmember for failing dope test during Hasina’s London trip

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has relieved a cabin crew of her VVIP flight duties after she failed a dope test during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s trip to London en route to the US.

The flag carrier also grounded the crewmember, Masuma Mufti, and Acting Deputy General Manager (Flight Services) Nuruzzaman Ronju for concealing information on Masuma, Biman spokesperson Shakil Meraz told bdnews24.com on Monday.

“A departmental investigation against them is ongoing,” Shakil, a general manager at the Biman, said.

Hasina left Dhaka on Friday for the US to attend the UN General Assembly. She reached the US on Sunday after a stopover in London.

Masuma Mufti. Photo: Facebook

A Biman crewmember, who has been working at the airlines for around two decades, told bdnews24.com that the airlines launched the dope test around three years ago as part of the IATA Operational Safety Audit programme.

The test is conducted on cabin and cockpit crew before flights to check whether they have taken any illegal drug.

“The authorities must handle the issue with importance,” the crewmember said, expressing suspicion that some others in the Biman crew had links to drugs.

He requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.