Cocaine allegedly found in flight attendant's bags at LAX

Federal and airport authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of at least 50 pounds of cocaine found in the carry-on bags of an airline flight attendant at Los Angeles Inteational Airport.

The discovery was made Friday afteoon in Terminal 4 by a Transportation Security Administration security officer, who was about to screen the airline attendant’s two carry-on roller bags, according to a TSA official and the Airport police union.

Although details are still sketchy, the flight attendant may have worked for JetBlue Airways, he said.

The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association identified the drugs in the carry-on bags as cocaine.

“After the TSA officer directed the suspect to a location for her to be screened, she was left unattended and witnesses stated that she made a cellphone call, kicked off her shoes and ran from the terminal down the up escalator,” the police officers’ union said in a statement. NBC News reported the shoes left behind were Gucci brand.

The LAAPOA said flight attendants and other crew members typically are not subjected to searches, “but this is a perfect example of why Los Angeles airports need 100 percent screening of all passengers and airport employees,” the statement said.

With LAX considered one of the top West Coast terrorist targets and the site of airport employees smuggling drugs aboard aircraft, 100 percent screening has the potential to stop an “insider” or “lone wolf” terrorist attack, the union said.

Union officials pointed out that Miami and Orlando inteational airports both screen all of their employees. “Total employee screening is realistic and achievable and it should happen here at LAX,” the union said.