A flight attendant dropped her bags and ran when she was selected for random screening at Los Angeles international airport – prompting a search that turned up 66lb (30kg) of cocaine in her carry-on luggage, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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

A law enforcement source said 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 that the woman ran from the terminal after making a nervous phone call in a language not recognised by officers and left behind a pair of designer shoes as she fled on an escalator.

Comment was sought from Los Angeles airport police and the Transportation Safety Administration.