Irishman stopped in Brazil 'with cocaine capsules in gut'

Brazilian federal police say an Irish man has been arrested with nearly two pounds of cocaine in his gut.

Police are identifying the 20-year-old suspect only by his initials, PBK.

Investigators said in a news release that he tried to board a flight in Sao Paulo, headed to Brussels.

Officers became suspicious because the man appeared nervous. When questioned, he admitted he had swallowed capsules of cocaine.

He was taken to a hospital, where he expelled 72 capsules containing 1.8lb of the drug.

The hospital released a CT scan showing the man filled with oval-shaped capsules.

He was arrested and is being held on suspicion of international drug-trafficking. If found guilty, he faces five to 15 years in prison.