The former West Coast and Richmond midfielder was arrested and strip-searched at Esperance Airport last night and was released on bail after being charged with possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

A Western Australia Police a spokeswoman said: “It will be alleged he was in possession of a quantity of drugs believed to be amphetamine.”

Cousins, 33, was later re-arrested for breach of bail and then bailed again.

The 2005 Brownlow medallist’s well-documented battle with drugs culminated in his arrest in October 2007 when he was detained carrying a vast array of illegal and prescription drugs and was subsequently banned from the AFL for a 12 months.

Airport worker Rob Tate told afl.com.au he witnessed the first arrest.

"It wasn't like a big scene or anything like that," he said.

"There was (sic) a couple of detectives who turned up in suits.

"When the plane landed they just walked over to Ben and grabbed him."

Mr Tate said the police then took Cousins into a nearby room, closing the curtains.

The recovering drug addict had been attending a drug rehabilitation centre in the region, Teen Challenge, for the past month but was seen in Perth on the weekend with his young baby Bobby Ernest and partner Maylea Tinecheff.