Border services agents have seized about 1350 grams of heroin at the Calgary International Airport and a 38-year-old woman from Tanzania is facing drug charges.
The CBSA says a female traveller was arrested upon arriving at the airport on November 22 and she was taken into custody by RCMP.
Officials say that there was enough heroin to produce about 13,500 doses and that the seized substances include 24 pellets.
RCMP say the woman flew in from South Africa and that she tried to avoid detection by swallowing a number of heroin pellets.
Police say the woman also had heroin concealed in her suitcase.
“With the initial investigation with Canada Border Services, they located a false bottom in her suitcase, which contained a little over 1,000 grams of heroin and she also ingested some heroin pills as well,” said RCMP Cst. Mike Hibbs.
Hibbs says it is believed the drugs were destined for Alberta.
“We can confirm that her final destination was Calgary so we are anticipating that the drugs were for street-level in Alberta,” he said. “It’s a great hit to the drug world in Alberta to get this seizure so it’s definitely a plus for the RCMP.”
Mariam Salehe, 38, is charged with importation of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Salehe is scheduled to appear in court in Calgary on Friday.
