Accused cocaine smuggler in Qld court

A Spanish national charged with trying to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine into far north Queensland has been remanded in custody.

Jose Lozano Garcia is accused of attempting to smuggle the drug through Cairns International Airport on Saturday night.

He was picked up after customs officers noticed something odd about the lining of his carry-on baggage.

Further searching uncovered a white powder, which later tested positive as cocaine.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

If found guilty, he faces up to 25 years in jail or a $850,000 fine.

The 59-year-old did not apply for bail when he fronted the Cairns Magistrate Court on Monday.

He's been remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on June 11.