A Colombian Dutch dual national has been arrested in Colombia on suspicion of large-scale cocaine smuggling local justice ministry officials have said.

The man, named by the Colombian authorities as David Ricardo Tromp, is said to have been the organiser of a criminal network that sent cocaine to the Netherlands and China which had been hidden in the luggage of travellers.

The gang was based at Cartagena airport and Tromp was in charge of persuading people to carry the drugs, and providing them with accommodation, transportation, international permits and air tickets.

He has been charged with trafficking, manufacture and possession of narcotics and, according to the Colombian authorities, has accepted the charge.