A New Zealand man has been charged after Australian authorities found 21 kilograms of heroin hidden in his luggage at Sydney Airport, officials said Monday.
The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said the 21-year-old was stopped for a baggage check after arriving Sunday on a flight from Thailand.
Officers allegedly uncovered 21 vacuum-sealed bags containing a white powder. Testing confirmed the substance was heroin, with an estimated street value of more than 10 million Australian dollars ($6.6 million).
The man was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.