A North Carolina woman who allegedly tried to smuggle $1.26 million dollar worth of heroin had to be checked out by a doctor after falling asleep in court.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested 36-year-old Tracey Joel Hernandez on federal drug charges on Sunday.

Hernandez drove up from Matamoros in a Chevrolet Suburban at Brownsville's Veterans International Bridge.

Customs officers allegedly found four packages with 12.6 pounds of heroin worth $1.26 million dollars inside her SUV.

Investigators reported that Hernandez is an American citizen who lives in Dunn, North Carolina.

Hernandez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Felix Recio in Brownsville on Monday morning.

Court records show that Hernandez may have been intoxicated at the time of the hearing.

"It appears to the court that the defendant needs to sober up," the records show. "Defendant is closing her eyes and falling asleep."

Hernandez was examined by a doctor and cleared to make her initial appearance in court.

Judge Recio issued a $250,000 dollar cash bond for Hernandez.

The North Carolina woman is expected to remain in custody in the Rio Grande Valley until a Thursday, April 14th court hearing.