The News
Friday 29 of March 2024

Flight Attendant Flees L.A. Airport, Cocaine Found in Bags


File photo of an aircraft flying above Heathrow airport in west London
File photo of an aircraft flying above Heathrow airport in west London
A random screening upon arrival at L.A Airport led the flight attendant to escape leaving behind the incriminating evidence

LOS ANGELES – A flight attendant fled when she was selected for a random screening at Los Angeles International Airport, prompting a search that turned up 66 pounds (30 kg) of cocaine in her carry-on bags, a Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman said on Monday.

The flight attendant who fled left behind her 66 pounds of cocaine in her carry-on bags. Photo: Reuters/Janine Costa.
The flight attendant who fled left behind her 66 pounds of cocaine in her carry-on bags. Photo: Reuters/Janine Costa.

The woman, who had arrived at the terminal on Friday for a flight, abandoned her belongings before escaping on foot, Special Agent Timothy Massino said. The DEA declined further comment on the case while an investigation was under way.

A law enforcement source said that the flight attendant had been identified by investigators but not apprehended as of Monday evening.

Authorities did not say which airline she worked for and there were conflicting media reports.

NBC News reported on its website that the woman ran from the terminal after making a nervous phone call in a language not recognized by officers and left behind a pair of designer shoes as she fled on an escalator.

Los Angeles Airport Police and the Transportation Safety Administration declined comment on Monday.