The gang collected criminal cash from across northern England, including Greater Manchester, before transporting it to the United Arab Emirates.
Rauf flew to and from the UAE herself seven times over a period of seven months, reporting into work as being sick.
The investigation was launched after Border Force officers seized almost £800,000 in cash in two separate incidents.
One courier, Sheikh Jobe, 33, from Manchester, was arrested at Manchester Airport in October 2018 after more than £300,000 was found in his luggage, the NCA said.