A man has been caught allegedly trying to smuggle $1.63 million worth of cocaine through Melbourne Airport inside a specially constructed suitcase.
The Melbourne man, 34, has been charged with importing a commercial quality of drugs and possession, crimes which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The man arrived on a flight from Italy on Thursday night before Australian Border Force officers selected him for a baggage examination.
A specially made plywood partition was allegedly found inside the suitcase, which was sent for an X-ray where anomalies were detected.
The officers took the suitcase apart and allegedly found five kilos of cocaine behind the plywood partition.
Initial testing returned a positive result for cocaine.
Further forensic testing will be conducted to determine the exact weight and purity.
The drugs have an estimated street value of $1.63 million.
Australian Border Force Regional Commander James Watson said the seizure was an example of the work carried out by the force at Australian airports every day.
"This seizure demonstrates the capacity of ABF officers on the frontline to identify and disrupt the importation of drugs into Australia," he said.
The man is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
The seizure comes after an Italian woman was caught allegedly trying to smuggle five kilos of cocaine into Melbourne in a similarly made suitcase earlier this month.
The 39-year-old was also charged with importing and possessing a commercial quantity of drugs.
It is not known whether there is a link between the two cases.