image: WBZ Boston
A JetBlue pilot was among six people arrested on drug charges Sunday in Boston. Police said they were watching an area near Boston Common after residents filed complaints about drug dealing, and on Sunday evening around 6 p.m. they saw what they believed to be drug transactions in the area, according to the Boston Globe. John Manwaring, 42, of Maitland, Fla., was arrested and charged with possession of heroin. He pleaded not guilty in court on Monday and was released. He’s due to appear back in court next month. Jet Blue told the Globe that Manwaring had been removed from duty “pending the outcome of this investigation.”
The airline also said, in a statement: “All pilots are drug tested; all crewmembers must receive a negative drug test before they are offered employment with JetBlue and we adhere to the FAA-approved random drug and alcohol testing program.” The company also said it has a no-tolerance policy. In a statement to police, according to the Boston Herald, Manwaring said he was just looking for sex and the woman he was with, who has a record of arrests and convictions for prostitution, bought the drugs. The police said they found a packet of “tan powder believed to be heroin” in Manwaring’s pocket, according to the Herald. Manwaring had flown into Boston at noon on Sunday and was scheduled to fly out of Logan at 7:30 Monday morning. It was unclear if he had been or was scheduled to be part of the crew on either of those flights.
