A woman has been convicted for smuggling a sedated monkey past airport customs by pretending it was a baby bump.

Gypsy Lawson took the rhesus macaque monkey on a flight from Thailand to Los Angeles in the United States.

The 29-year-old drugged it with sleeping pills and hid it under her blouse during the trip.

A month later she bragged about the monkey she called Apoo to a shop assistant who then called police.

Lawson, from Spokane, Washington, and her 55-year-old mother Fran Ogren, travelled to Bangkok in November 2007.

On their way back, Ogren reportedly emailed an online witches and pagan community asking for "last-minute energy" to help them smuggle the animal.

A jury found both women guilty of smugging and conspiracy charges after a four day trial in Washington. They will be sentenced on March 3.

Lawson's boyfriend, James Edward Pratt, testified against her after striking a plea bargain.

Apoo the monkey is now safe at a primate rescue centre in Oregon.