Investigators said a New York woman found with $170,000 hidden in her underwear at an airport was trying to avoid paying taxes on a property sale.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer George Wolynski said Monday in New York Federal Court he discovered Claire Abdeldaim had 1,699 $100 bills sewn into the underwear she was carrying in her purse when she was stopped at John F. Kennedy International Airport in June 2010, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

Wolynski said Abdeldaim had claimed to be carrying $17,000 and only admitted to having more cash when she was confronted with the evidence. He said the suspect "was told by a friend not to declare all the money" to avoid paying taxes on the cash, which she was bringing home from Sudan after selling land left to her by her late husband.

John Carman, Abdeldaim's lawyer, said his client, who is originally from Haiti, left a zero off the amount because of her problems with the language. He suggested Wolynski did not allow Abdeldaim to change the amount on her declaration because he stood to receive a salary bonus for the seizure.

Abdeldaim, who is free on $100,000 bail, could face up to 21 months in jail if convicted of smuggling.