A woman who allegedly attempted to leave the island on Christmas Day with cocaine in a pair of slippers and inside her body has been taken into custody by the police and is facing drug charges.

Police investigators revealed that the woman, believed to be a 38-year-old taxi operator, was found with 3.7 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $3.9 million.

Her name has not been released and the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) said she would be interviewed in the presence of her attorney before she is charged with possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export cocaine.

According to the police, the woman turned up at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and attempted to board a flight to the United States when Port Security Corp personnel noticed abnormalities in the pair of slippers she was wearing.

The Narcotics Police were alerted and, according to the CCU, a quantity of cocaine was found during a detailed examination of the slippers.

The police said she subsequently confessed to having cocaine inside her body and was taken to hospital where a cylindrical object was removed.

The CCU said another pair of slippers stuffed with cocaine was also found in her suitcase.

She is scheduled to appear in the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Thursday.