NATCHEZ — A Natchez woman was arrested Friday after law enforcement officials uncovered nearly 80 pounds of synthetic marijuana worth more than $700,000 in a package she was attempting to pick up from the post office.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said the arrest came after an investigation looking into the trafficking in Adams County of the drug, which is also known as spice.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Friday, Mayfield and agents of the Metro Narcotics Unit intercepted Cynthia Marie Strickland, 51, going to the U.S. Post Office on Canal Street to pick up two packages.

Mayfield said his department had knowledge the packages contained the drugs and were waiting for Strickland to arrive to pick them up.

After Strickland claimed the two packages, Mayfield said deputies arrested her outside the post office where she gave consent to open the boxes.

Inside the boxes, Mayfield said, was nearly 80 pounds of synthetic marijuana.

Mayfield said the synthetic marijuana typically sells on the street for approximately $20 a gram, and he estimated the street value of the packages totaled more than $716,000.

The synthetic marijuana was packaged specially in “smelly proof bags” so the scent could not be discovered, Mayfield said.

In addition to the boxes, the Strickland’s house was also searched, but Mayfield said no other drugs were found.

More arrests are pending as the investigation continues.

“It’s great that we were able to take this much off at one time, instead of a gram here or an ounce there,” Mayfield said. “This was a major seizure.”

Strickland, 2837 Little St., was charged with possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute. She was released from the Adams County Jail on a $5,000 bond.