A Brazilian national has been arrested at Eindhoven airport trying to smuggle 56,000 ecstasy pills out of the country, news agency ANP reports on Thursday.

The 22-year-old had hidden the drug in secret compartments in two suitcases. The drugs were found after the bags were checked into the hold – but no further details of how they were discovered have been made public.

The man was planning to fly to South America. He will appear in court on Friday.

Such large drugs finds are rare at the southern airport, a military spokesman said.