The search continued today for a JetBlue Airways flight attendant who ran out of Los Angeles International Airport when 70 pounds of cocaine were found in her carry-on bag, according to federal authorities.
“We have her identified. We know who she is and we’re looking for her,” federal Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Tim Massino said.
Massino would not disclose the woman’s name or release a description.
Massino said that “no further comment on the investigation is expected yet.” When asked if the suspect was in custody, he said only that there would be no new comments made.
The discovery was made Friday afternoon in Terminal Four by a Transportation Security Administration security officer, who was screening the airline attendant’s carry-on bag, according to a TSA official.
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. Soon after, the Los Angeles Airport Police Department (LAXPD) was contacted for an unattended bag and after further investigation it was determined by Airport Police that cocaine was in her luggage, according to the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association.
In the wake of the foiled drug-smuggling attempt, Airport Police Union President Marshall McClain called for 100 percent screening of all passengers and employees at LAX.
“Flight attendants and other crew members are not normally subjected to searches, but this is a perfect example of why Los Angeles airports need 100 percent screening of all passengers and airport employees” McClain said.
McClain disputed claims it’s impossible to screen everyone that comes to work at LAX, pointing out that such screening is done at two prominent Florida airports.
“Miami International Airport and Orlando International Airport screen all of their employees,” McClain said. “Miami has screened approximately 38,000 employees since 1999. Total employee screening is realistic and achievable and it should happen here at LAX.”
Requiring 100 percent screening would raise the odds of stopping an insider or lone wolf terrorist attack and help minimize opportunities for airport employees to commit crimes, according to the police union.
“The weekend’s incident reinforces the (union’s) calls for an airport police officer to be stationed within 300 feet of the TSA screening checkpoint,’ McClain said.
“While airport police officers are charged with patrolling an entire massive airport terminal, having an officer dedicated to being within 300 feet of the security area ensures that an officer is immediately available to respond to issues at the screening station. which is the last line of defense in keeping unwanted items off of planes and ill-willed individuals from getting access to planes,” McClain said.
