Egyptian authorities said they arrested a foreigner for alleged marijuana possession, as he landed at Cairo International Airport carrying a large amount of narcotics.

Egypt's General Department for Narcotics Control said it detained the passenger, whose nationality was not identified, as he arrived with 11 packages loaded with 166 marijuana seeds.

The authorities seized two bags containing 1.2 kg of cannabis, a container with 340 grams of cannabis paste, and tools used to harvest cannabis.

The authorities said the passenger confessed to the crime with the intention of smuggling and trafficking in Egypt.

His arrest comes one day after authorities said they had arrested an Italian passenger for allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country as he arrived from Milan.

The airport authorities seized 644 pills and several glass bottles of illegal painkillers.

Cannabis has been illegal in Egypt since it signed the Geneva International Convention on Narcotic Control in 1925.

Egypt has been extending a crackdown on drug smuggling in recent years, often thwarting smuggling attempts across its borders and waving at harsher penalties for offenders in recently approved legislation.