This is the moment a man is apparently caught trying to smuggle himself out of Peru in a suitcase.

The man was found curled up in the case at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima after a sniffer dog smelled him out.

Security staff became suspicious when a man who was pulling the suitcase started acting nervously.

Busted: A man is found hiding in a suitcase by a sniffer dog while trying to smuggle himself out of Peru

When they asked him to open the bag, he started to remonstrate about why it was necessary.

After the dog continued to excitedly sniff the case, the officer ordered it to be opened by the man who unzipped the bag and his disappointed friend climbed out.

Police said the man hidden in the case was trying to flee the country and has now been arrested with his friend.

They were taken to another part of the airport where they were questioned and identified, although their names have not yet been revealed.

The incident was captured on video and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube, where they have been view tens of thousands of times.