SYDNEY, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Two men have appeared in court on Thursday, accused of being part of an international crime syndicate that attempted to smuggle 38 kg of methamphetamine through Australia's Sydney Airport.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said one of the men, aged 32, pretended to be an employee of an airport service provider "to offload two rucksacks from the luggage hold of an incoming flight from Canada on Wednesday."

A 26-year-old man then collected the bags and was arrested as he attempted to leave the domestic terminal.

When tests were carried out on the substance, it returned a positive reading for the dangerous drug methamphetamine, known locally as "ice."

"Yesterday's arrests include a man who has abused the trusted access he has to ensure the smooth operation of Sydney's international airport, and instead sought to exploit it for the greed of all those involved," AFP Acting Commander Nathan Barron said.

"This investigation is a fantastic example of how intelligence-led, proactive policing can damage the activities of organized crime groups."

If found guilty, both men face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.