No Culprit Found in NASA Cocaine Investigation

An investigation into a small amount of cocaine found in a space shuttle hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida has ended without disciplinary action.

NASA's Office of Inspector General has concluded its investigation and would not comment on the matter.

KSC officials confirmed that none of roughly 200 people screened for drug use after the January incident tested positive, and no employees were disciplined.

A space center employee notified security Jan. 12 after finding a small plastic bag outside a bathroom in the hangar where Discovery is processed for flight, known as Orbiter Processing Facility No. 3.

Tests confirmed trace amounts of cocaine in the bag.

NASA and lead shuttle contractor United Space Alliance identified about 200 people who had access to the restricted area around the time the bag was found and required them to take drug tests.

Managers found no shuttle work done improperly nor anything else out of the ordinary.

The investigation apparently did not determine how the illegal drugs ended up in the hangar.

Discovery flew a successful mission in April and is slated to fly once more before the shuttle program is retired.

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