A Brazilian man has been arrested after authorities discovered 10 kilograms of cocaine hidden in his cruise ship cabin upon arrival in Sydney, Australia.

The 48-year-old passenger is expected to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, facing charges of importing and possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.

Authorities said that Australian Border Force (ABF) officers uncovered 28 individually wrapped packages of cocaine stashed inside the ceiling cavity of the man's cabin during a routine search of the vessel on Saturday, March 15. The ship had arrived from Argentina.

In addition to the narcotics, officers also found body-packing materials in the cabin, a smuggling method frequently used by drug couriers to evade detection. Initial testing of the substances yielded a positive result for cocaine, prompting ABF officials to alert the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Upon further investigation, AFP officers reportedly discovered evidence of drug trafficking on the suspect’s mobile phone.

AFP Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy said authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent illicit drugs from reaching Australian shores.

The suspect has been charged with:
   • One count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
   • One count of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Both offences carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Authorities continue their investigations into whether the suspect was acting alone or as part of a larger criminal network.