British singer Pete Doherty was detained on board a flight from London to Barcelona after a blood-filled syringe was found in the plane's toilet but was then released, airline easyJet said. The captain of the plane, which was travelling from London Gatwick airport, radioed ahead to ask police to meet the flight at Barcelona's El Prat airport. Police then searched the plane as it sat on the runway.
In a statement, easyJet said cabin crew noticed that an unnamed passenger -- identified as Doherty by Britain's domestic Press Association news agency -- spent an "unusual length of time" in the toilet and became suspicious.
"Once the passenger had left the toilet, (they) immediately investigated and found a syringe with blood hidden in the bin.
"The passenger was questioned by cabin crew and became agitated. So we contacted the Spanish police to meet the aircraft on arrival."
The low-fares airline alleged that "he and his group also caused a security alert on the aircraft as there was some suspicion over what they had done with their hand baggage.
"As safety and security is our top priority a full security check of the aircraft was done, all passengers had to remain onboard whilst this took place.
"The group found this amusing and would not co-operate with the baggage ID check -- passing their bags between each other."
That caused a 30-minute delay, the company said.
"The police subsequently spoke to the group and they have been released," the statement added.
"It is possible to take syringes on aircraft, but it must be under strictly controlled circumstances and with medical certification and staff must be alerted in advance. None of this information was presented to easyJet."
The company said it had a zero tolerance policy towards unreasonable behaviour and would be banning Babyshambles from travelling with them in future.
Doherty has been arrested a number of times for possession of both hard and soft drugs since late last year. He is currently serving a court-imposed 12-month community service punishment and detoxification programme.
He has since been at the centre of allegations of drug taking again with fans in Germany and in Britain.
Doherty -- a one-time beau of supermodel Kate Moss -- and members of Babyshambles were travelling to Spain in a seven-strong party for the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona Thursday evening.
