A 27-year-old man has been arrested at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport after more than 3.5 kilos of cocaine were found hidden in his suitcase.

The Guardia Civil said the operation began during a customs inspection carried out by its Fiscal and Border Analysis and Investigation Unit. Officers detected anomalies in a piece of RUSH luggage – unaccompanied baggage that arrives on a different flight from its owner – which had travelled from South America with stopovers in several countries before reaching Spain.

The airline contacted the owner and asked him to attend the airport. Officers noted inconsistencies in his statements and, in his presence, opened the suitcase. Inside a briefcase with a false bottom and hidden compartments, they found 3,580 grams of cocaine.

The man was arrested on suspicion of offences against public health and smuggling. He has been brought before the Investigating Court in Elche, which has ordered his provisional imprisonment.