A man traveling from Johannesburg to Sydney, with a layover in Doha, Qatar, was intercepted upon his arrival at Sydney Airport.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers chose to conduct a thorough inspection of his luggage following the flight.

During the examination, officers reportedly uncovered 22 plastic-wrapped packages within the man’s suitcase, prompting a referral to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

An AFP representative stated, “Preliminary tests on the white powder inside the packages revealed it to be cocaine.”

The authorities confiscated the packages, and the individual now faces charges for importing a commercial quantity of a controlled substance across borders.

If convicted, the charge could result in a life sentence.

The man from Liverpool in the city’s south-west is due to face court today.