Tony Ming Ly, 21, had a bail application refused in Sydney Central Local Court today after police charged him and two other men with importing A$438 million ($597 million) worth of methamphetamine, or P.
The 585kg stash uncovered by Federal Police in Sydney last week is the country's largest ever P bust and police say more people may be arrested as the investigation continues.
Ly is an Australian national who lives at Canley Vale in Sydney.
He faced court with co-accused Cheung Tuen, 51, of Hong Kong, and Boon Cheng Leow, 32, of Singapore, all charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of drugs.
Ly, who is a student at the University of Western Sydney, is the alleged driver of the syndicate and hired a van the day before he and the two others were arrested while allegedly trying to take the drugs from a storage facility, the Australian Associated Press said.
Australian Federal Police, with the help of Customs and NSW police, had found the alleged drugs stash last week and kept surveillance on it.
AFP Commissioner Tony Negus said the investigation was sparked by a single tip-off from a member of the public in September.
The investigation led to a "suspicious facility" at West Ryde in Sydney, where the arrivals of "suspicious containers" were monitored over several months.
The drugs were found in a chemical shipment from Shenjing in southern China and the men were arrested while allegedly trying to collect the drugs.
"The investigation remains ongoing and we've not ruled out further arrests either here in Australia or overseas," Mr Negus said.
"We've already been in contact with authorities in China and a range of further inquiries are under way."
An AFP spokeswoman said New Zealand police had not been contacted in regard to the investigation.
The massive drugs haul is the largest single seizure of P in Australia, with the previous record of 300kg in July last year.
"When the police and the community work together, these are the sort of results you get," NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said.
"We're very fortunate that somebody took the time to make that phone call.
"Make no mistake. This is a hideous, insidious drug.
"This is the sort of drug that sends people mad."
The three men will reappear in court on May 8.
