COLOMBIAN police say they have arrested a Toronto woman who simulated pregnancy to try to smuggle cocaine.

Colonel Esteban Arias says 28-year-old Tabitha Leah Ritchie was stopped while trying to board an Air Canada flight in Bogota after an inspector noted that her belly was unusually cold and hard.

He says police discovered a false belly made of latex taped to her body and they found 2 kilograms of cocaine.

Police say Ms Ritchie arrived in Colombia on August 6 and he identified her as a social worker.

The Canadian Embassy did not respond to requests for details.

Colombian officials say 874 foreigners are held in the country's lockups, most on drug charges.

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