A Melbourne teenager has been charged as part of an alleged international drug ring accused of importing more than $6 million worth of heroin and ecstasy into Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
News Corp Australia is reporting other members of the alleged ring are linked to ex-bikie Toby Mitchell and drug baron Tony Mokbel.
The syndicate were allegedly tricked into selling drugs, including one kilogram of heroin for $220,000, to undercover police.
Subsequent police stings, five months ago, seized 15 kilograms of heroin, worth more than $4.5 million, and 8 kilograms of ecstasy tablets, valued in excess of $1.5 million.
The 17-year-old Melbourne boy was arrested and charged in May.
Eight other Australians were also charged following the joint federal and Victorian police operation. An Auckland man is facing charges.
Police allege the ring cultivated heroin in Afghanistan's poppy fields, then smuggled the drug into Australia through New Zealand.
A bail application for a co-accused on Monday revealed the boy's alleged involvement.
The teen was reportedly bailed with strict conditions banning him from contact with his co-accused, but has since been remanded in custody for breaking the conditions.
The teen's co-accused, whose identity is protected, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, News Corp reported.
Federal police applied to revoke his bail for attending court with the boy for the matter of another co-accused last week despite bans on them associating with each other.
Defence lawyer Damian Sheales reportedly told the court the man had not been told the teen was a co-accused.
Deputy chief magistrate Jelena Popovic is expected to rule on the man's bail application when the matter returns to court tomorrow. The teen will appear again at the children's court at a later date.
