$250K in seized drugs were headed to U.K. from Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga

A 26-year-old woman is facing drug smuggling charges and up to 14 years in prison after border officials at Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga seized nearly $250,000 in cannabis that was hidden inside luggage destined for the U.K.

The woman has been charged by the RCMP, who said in a news release Monday afternoon the 62 kilograms of cannabis were discovered concealed inside baggage that was to be loaded onto an Oct. 23 flight to London.

Police said the confiscated drugs are worth $248,000.

Canada Border Services Agency officers recovered the drugs and made the arrest before turning the traveller over to RCMP officers with the Airport Detachment.

Justyne Carmen Burger-Samules, 26, is charged with export contrary to the Cannabis Act. She’ll appear in court on Dec. 5.

The RCMP said the penalty for cannabis importation into the U.K. is up to 14 years in prison.

“Although cannabis is decriminalized in Canada, it is still illegal to carry any amount of cannabis on international flights and amounts exceeding personal use on domestic flights,” said RCMP Insp. John McMath, officer in charge of the Pearson Airport Detachment.

RCMP officers say they work closely with the CBSA to combat, among other things, drug smuggling.