A 31-year-old American woman allegedly had $6.5 million worth of cocaine packed in her suitcase when she landed at Sydney Airport yesterday.

The woman who landed from LA allegedly had 14 black vacuum-sealed bags in her suitcase containing 20 kilograms of the drug.

Australian Federal Police officers arrested the woman after she was stopped for a baggage check, and say they seized the illegal drugs.

She was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if proven.

AFP Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the cocaine had an estimated street value of $6.5 million and could have resulted in 100,000 street-level deals.

“The AFP and ABF are still regularly finding and arresting people willing to risk decades in jail by trafficking illicit drugs through our airports,” Blunden said.

“The AFP works closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities and target illegal drugs coming into the country through airports.

“People considering smuggling drugs through our airports need to think about the consequences of their actions. If caught, you will face losing some of the best years of your life sitting in a prison cell.”