A man with alleged links to Middle Eastern organised crime has faced a Melbourne court after being charged with importing $41.6 million of methamphetamine disguised as vinegar.
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Fawkner man Elias Hamwi, 43, was brought into Melbourne Magistrates Court flanked by two custody officers on Thursday after being charged with drug offences.
It follows the discovery of 500 litres of methamphetamine inside plastic barrels of white vinegar by border police in February, found inside a shipping container sent to Melbourne from Turkey.
Officers seized the drugs and replaced them with a harmless substance which was then delivered to a business in Clayton, in Melbourne's southeast.
Hamwi was arrested on Wednesday, with police searching homes in Fawkner and Bentleigh East.
Police have alleged he has links to Middle Eastern organised crime.
He has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Hamwi's lawyer did not apply for bail during the brief hearing. He told the court the charges related to an "extensive investigation" by authorities.
Prosecutor Shehan Dhanapala said police needed time to compile their brief of evidence, which included making some interstate and international inquiries, as well as translation of listening devices.
Hamwi was taken into custody and will next appear on August 10.
Australian Associated Press
