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Maidstone man charged over $13m LSD haul

A Maidstone man has been charged with multiple counts of drug importation after $13 million worth of LSD was seized.

The 39-year-old man was arrested after officers from the Altona North Divisional Response Unit and Taskforce Icarus raided addresses in Maidstone and Tottenham on Wednesday

The joint taskforce known as Icarus includes investigators from Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and Customs.

It was established to target people using international mail for criminal activity within Victoria.

The man was investigated under Operation Spores, which started after Border Force officers detected a number of incidents of commercial quantities of LSD being imported.

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with multiple counts of drug importation.

He was bailed on a $250,000 bond to appear in the same court on July 7.

Strict bail conditions include reporting to police and a curfew.

Superintendent Stuart Bateson said Victoria Police had worked closely with other agencies to interrupt the supply of dangerous drugs to the community.

“On this occasion we seized a commercial quantity of LSD, valued at approximately $13 million,” he said.

“We will continue to target anyone responsible for importing and distributing illegal drugs and encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.”

The maximum penalty importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug is life imprisonment.

– The Age

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