The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

An African saleswoman was arrested and referred to Dubai criminal court for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country through the airport.

The 40-year-old woman had over 1.5kg of cocaine in her bag.

The incident took place during April, after the defendant had arrived at terminal 3 around 5am, and was caught by female customs officers.

The officers suspected the density shown through the scanner inside the defendant’s bag.

The officer waited until the defendant was finished with the bag scanner device, then surprised her with “Show your passport” statement.

The saleswoman was directly asked whether she had something to hide before the officer could search the bag.

The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Terrified defendant confessed to carrying an illegal object.

The bag was emptied and the officer found a hidden zipper at its bottom, with wooden planks inside.

Inside the wooden planks, a roll of 1.5kg of cocaine was found.

Her case was transferred to the anti-narcotics department.

The defendant was booked and prosecuted by the Dubai Public Prosecution on drug-trafficking charges.