Spanish woman snared with $90,000 hidden in stomach

SANTO DOMINGO - A woman arriving from Belgium was arrested at an airport in the Dominican Republic with 55,500 euros (S$89,000) hidden in her stomach and 54,600 euros in her luggage, anti-drugs police said on Sunday.

The 40-year-old, a Spanish national of Dominican origin, was snared at the international airport in Punta Cana after flying in from Brussels, the National Drug Control Office (DNCD) said.

Intelligence services were warned about the woman's arrival and the cash in her stomach - contained in 16 bags - was confirmed by X-ray.

The total sum of euros is the equivalent of about US$140,000 (S$178,500); travellers are allowed to bring in a maximum of US$10,000 without reporting it.