A 23-year-old Brazilian man has been arrested at Malta International Airport after police allegedly found around one kilogram of suspected cocaine strapped to his abdomen, with an estimated street value of €125,000, police said in a statement.

In a statement, police said the arrest followed a joint investigation involving different sections of the Police Force using intelligence-led policing, through which officers identified a person allegedly intending to import a considerable quantity of drugs into Malta.

Based on the information gathered, police identified that the suspect was due to arrive in Malta during the night between Friday and Saturday on a flight from Barcelona.

The statement said that after the passenger disembarked and entered the arrivals hall, he was stopped by police officers and searched.

Police immediately noticed something suspicious beneath his shirt and discovered a package taped to his abdomen containing around one kilogram of a substance allegedly consisting of cocaine.

The man is being held at the Floriana police lock-up while further investigations continue.

He is expected to be arraigned in court at around 11am on Sunday before Magistrate Dr Tanya Sammut LL.D, charged with the alleged importation of drugs, the statement said.