U.S.

Woman, 70, arrested at JFK with 4 pounds of cocaine in underwear

/ CBS/AP

NEW YORK -- Authorities quickly found out why an arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International was so nervous: She had four pounds of cocaine hidden in her girdle and underwear.

CBS New York reports that authorities said Monday that 70-year-old Olive Fowler seemed nervous when she arrived in New York from Georgetown, Guyana on April 12. Customs and Border Protection officers escorted her to a private room at the airport and found the cocaine while they were searching her.

Officials estimate that the drugs have a street value of more than $73,000.

Fowler is facing federal narcotics smuggling charges.

"This seizure is just another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these illicit drugs," said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP's New York Field Operations.

NJ.com reports that her federal public defender, Peter Kirchheimer, declined to comment.

First published on April 21, 2015 / 10:02 AM EDT

© 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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