An Austrian DJ has been arrested at an airport in Argentina after the authorities found over 17 lbs of ecstasy hidden in a false bottom in his suitcase.

Alexander Rosdobutko, 40, also known as Astralex, was arrested after arriving at the Ezeiza International Airport in the capital city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on a flight from the Netherlands after investigators discovered three packages in his luggage containing enough drugs to make 31,000 ecstasy pills weighing nearly 8 kilogrammes (17.6 lbs).

Rosdobutko, who is from Salzburg, has been charged with “attempted drug smuggling with the aim of selling”, according to Austrian media.

The ecstasy, which was reportedly pure MDMA, was reportedly worth approximately EUR 460,000 (GBP 404,000) on the street.

Rosdobutko was reportedly headed to an electronic music festival with the drugs.

The authorities are said to be convinced that he had accomplices and have set his bail at the equivalent of EUR 220,000 (GBP 193,000), according to Austrian media.

Judge Marcelo Aguinsky said: “We fear that if he is at large, he could obstruct the ongoing investigation, warn accomplices or leave the country.”

IT experts are reportedly attempting to hack into his mobile phones, with the Argentinian judiciary saying: “We hope to be able to identify his contacts via the telephone data.”

Rosdobutko faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted.