Former AFL player Ben Cousins is facing the prospect of a four-year jail term if convicted on a serious drug charge.

The 33-year-old Brownlow medallist has been charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

Police say they arrested Cousins at Esperance airport on Tuesday night and charged him with possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.

The ABC understands that 4.56 grams of the drug was found inside Cousins' body.

The former West Coast Eagles and Richmond player was re-arrested on Wednesday after police allege he breached his bail conditions.

Cousins was in Esperance to attend a rehabilitation clinic.

He was granted bail when he appeared in court yesterday and is due in court in Perth on Monday.

Cousins was sacked by the West Coast Eagles in September, 2007 for drug abuse, and banned from the AFL for a year for bringing the game into disrepute.

He has struggled to overcome his drug addiction since leaving Richmond and the AFL in 2010.

He welcomed his first child, Bobby Ernest Cousins, with partner Maylea Tinecheff in September.