A 66-year-old Malaysian national faces life imprisonment after Australian authorities found 5kg of methamphetamine hidden in his luggage at Sydney Airport.

SYDNEY: A Malaysian national has been charged in Australia following the alleged discovery of 5kg of methamphetamine concealed in his luggage at Sydney Airport.

The 66-year-old man was selected for a baggage examination upon arriving on a flight from Thailand.

An X-ray detected anomalies, leading to a search that uncovered 10 bottles labelled as scented powder containing the drugs.

The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said the man was arrested and charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted.

Authorities allege the man told officers he was recruited via social media to courier the suitcase from Thailand to Australia for payment.

Investigators also seized two mobile phones for forensic examination.

 The Sun Malaysia