An 18-year-old is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court this afternoon charged in connection with the largest seizure ever of LSD in South Australia.
The teenager, from Marion, has been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of the controlled drug.
He was arrested yesterday (3 July) by detectives from the South Australian Joint Agency Ice Strike Team (JAIST) and the SA Police Serious & Organised Crime Branch.
Police will allege he attempted to import 20,000 tabs of lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, buying the drugs over the dark net and arranging to have the ‘tickets’ sent via the postal stream to an address in the Adelaide CBD.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Crameri, said this was the largest seizure of this drug ever in SA, with a street value estimated to be about $300,000.
“This is a highly dangerous hallucinogenic drug which can have long term health effects on the user,” he warned.
“Someone importing a drug like this from Europe is risking their health and liberty with drug manufacturers only interested in profit.
“Seizures of this size are very rare around the world.
“If the public has any information regarding anyone buying or importing drugs via the dark net they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au”
AFP Coordinator Operations, Superintendent Gail McClure said that this seizure was made possible by the strong collaborative ties between the AFP and its domestic partners.
“Working in partnership with South Australia Police and other JAIST agencies allows us to prevent these drugs from getting onto Australian streets and causing harm to our communities.”
“This operation should send a strong warning to criminals that if you participate in illegal activities, the AFP will catch, arrest and prosecute you,” Superintendent McClure said.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
NOTE: JAIST, which began operating in January, is led by SAPOL and comprises of members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC).
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