MADRID (December 12, 2012)--Spanish authorities arrested a Panamanian woman who arrived at Barcelona airport with 3 pounds of cocaine concealed in breast implants.

The country’s Interior Ministry said border police became suspicious when they noticed fresh scars and bloodstained gauze on the woman’s chest as well as pale patches beneath her skin.

The woman said she had recently had breast implant surgery, but the police sent her to a local hospital where the implants were removed and found to contain cocaine.

The woman arrived in Spain from Bogota, Colombia.

European authorities routinely submit passengers arriving from Latin America to stringent checks to combat drug smuggling.