Australian Federal Police have arrested an Iranian man being held in Sydney’s immigration detention centre, who is alleged to have worked as a people smuggler.

Assistant Commissioner Steve Lancaster says the allegations relate to the man’s conduct in Indonesia.

“It will be alleged that the man was involved in the planning and facilitation of the unauthorised arrival of asylum seekers on a single vessel that arrived in Australia in August 2012,” he said.

He says the man travelled to Australia by boat a month later and was arrested at the Villawood detention centre.

The man has been charged with people smuggling and is set to appear in court today.

He faces up to a decade in jail if he is found guilty.

Meanwhile, a 34-year-old woman from Iran will also face court later this year charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime related to a separate people smuggling matter.

“The single charge relates to $40,000 seized during a police search warrant on a residence linked to a convicted people smuggler,” Assistant Commissioner Lancaster said.

He says the woman faces a penalty of up to a decade in prison and a fine of more than $100,000.

Police say six people have been arrested over alleged links to people smuggling operations so far this year.

“Those people involved, or were involved, in people smuggling criminal activity outside or inside Australia can expect to be investigated and prosecuted,” assistant commissioner Lancaster said.

“You can also expect a knock on the door by police, as experienced by two people this week.”