Australian Customs allegedly seizes 5 kg cocaine at airport

A Spanish national appeared in an Australian court on Monday after Customs officers allegedly discovered 5 kg of cocaine in his luggage as he tried to pass through an airport.

Jose Lozano Garcia, 59, was accused of attempting to smuggle the drug through Cairns International Airport in Queensland on Saturday night.

An official statement from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) said the man was selected for a baggage examination after he disembarked his flight.

During the examination, inconsistencies were noticed in the lining of the carry-on baggage, it alleged.

A physical search was conducted, uncovering a white powder concealed within the lining of three items of the man's luggage.

Initial testing of the white powder indicated a positive result for cocaine.

The man was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who arrested and charged him with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, the ACBPS said.

He was remanded in custody after his court appearance.

The maximum penalty for the offense in Australia is 25 years imprisonment and/or an 850,000 Australian dollars fine (646,000 U. S. dollars).