A woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle methamphetamine, disguised as Christmas presents, in a handbag

A Canadian woman has been arrested after trying to smuggle more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine through an airport in New Zealand, authorities said. The illicit drugs were hidden as Christmas gifts in New Zealand The customs agency said earlier this week on social media.

The Canadian woman, whose identity has not been publicly released, arrived in Auckland on a flight from Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday, December 8, the customs agency said. The customs officers interrogated the woman after she got off, the customs agency said. Agents then searched her canvas carry-on bag and found the drugs covered in festive wrapping paper.

The value of the drugs was 3.8 million New Zealand dollars, or 2.2 million US dollars, according to the customs agency. He said in a press release.

Officials said the woman was arrested and faces charges of importing and possessing drugs. New Zealand public broadcaster RNZ reported The woman appeared in the Manukau District Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.

Auckland Airport director Paul Williams said international organized crime groups often tried to take advantage of the busy travel season to smuggle illicit goods into the country.

“But a busy airport does not mean Customs is not focused or concerned about anyone who may pose a drug risk,” Williams said in the press release. Williams said every passenger arriving in New Zealand is risk assessed before they even arrive in the country.

Williams said in the news release that he and his colleagues “know that drugs sent from North America present increased risks” and are prepared to find and confiscate such shipments, even if they are “smaller targets.”

A A man from Los Angeles travels to New Zealand He was arrested in late November after security officials at Los Angeles International Airport found clothing laced with methamphetamine in his luggage. Overall, about a kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of methamphetamine was recovered from the clothing.

In the same week, the international naval operation “Orion” led to seizure More than 1,400 tonnes of drugs, including cocaine and marijuana, have been seized along a Pacific smuggling route from South America to Australia.

The American authorities arrested An alleged international drug trafficking ring She was smuggling methamphetamine into foreign countries, including Australia and New Zealand, in February. The drugs were allegedly smuggled via a number of ships, including books and children’s dolls.