The alleged head of a Congolese crime syndicate operating in Melbourne has been charged with attempting to import the drug ice in a tea set.
The 26-year-old Burnside man is accused of trying to smuggle almost six kilograms of methamphetamine, known as ice, into Australia in the tea set, the lining of a suitcase and a box of USB sticks.
He is also accused of using false documents to launder money.
Police say customs officers intercepted three parcels addressed to a fake identity the man was allegedly using after the Australian Federal Police began investigating him in December.
The parcels were found to contain 1.9kg of methamphetamine, a joint Customs and AFP statement said on Friday.
Another package linked to the alleged offender was found to contain 248g of the drug, it said.
A search of the man's home allegedly turned up 3.7kg of methamphetamine, two false South African passports and $96,500 in cash.
The man will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
Police will allege he heads a crime syndicate operating within the Congolese community in Melbourne.
AFP manager crime operations Jennifer Hurst said the community would benefit from the disruption of the syndicate.
"This operation has removed a criminal syndicate that was actively importing drugs and taking steps to conceal the profits it made," Commander Hurst said.
If convicted, the man could face life in prison.
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