The woman, identified by Immigration officers as Melba Geraldine Sharp from California, was to board Scoot Airways flight TR653 to South Korea via Singapore 8:30pm last night (Feb 23), Phuket airport immigration said in a brief report online.
According to officials, the arrest followed a tip-off about possible drug smuggling through the airport.
While screening passengers, officers flagged Ms Sharp as a high-risk traveller. As she proceeded to check in, her luggage was subjected to a detailed inspection.
Inside her suitcase, authorities found clothing, bed sheets and other personal items.
However, upon closer examination, a set of bed sheets was found to be unusually heavy. Further inspection revealed four rectangular packages wrapped in brown tape, carbon paper and plastic.
When tested, the contents were confirmed to be crystal meth (ya ice).
Sharp was immediately taken into custody and handed over to Sakhu police Station, where she was charged with attempting to smuggle a Category 1 narcotic out of the country and illegal possession of methamphetamine.
She is now facing ‘further legal proceedings’, airport immigration officers confirmed.