A Hamilton teenager accused of buying large quantities of drugs on the dark web has been released from custody.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bayley Stevenson, 18, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Friday charged with trafficking ecstasy and LSD as well as possession of cannabis.
Police allege he purchased drugs from the dark web using cryptocurrency.
When interviewed, he allegedly told police the large quantity of drugs seized was MDMA.
But a spot test returned "a strong and immediate indication of methamphetamine", the court heard.
On October 12, a 'mail stop' was placed on Mr Stevenson's mail through Australia Post following intelligence received from Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police Border Force.
Police accepted the parcel on October 21 and allegedly uncovered two vacuum-sealed bags of MDMA, each weighing four grams.
Then on October 23, a soft padded envelope addressed to Mr Stevenson was intercepted.
It allegedly contained 50 LSD tabs.
A third parcel intercepted on October 26 was allegedly carrying 7.2 grams of MDMA.
A police raid at Mr Stevenson's Hamilton home on Thursday allegedly uncovered five grams of cannabis, 0.2 grams of a pink powder believed to be a hallucinogen and $165 cash.
Police also seized a desktop computer and hard drive, iPhone 11, two Acer laptops and an iPad.
The electronics were believed to be used to access the dark web.
An analysis of Mr Stevenson's phone allegedly uncovered several large transactions between July and October relating to the online purchase of drugs.
Police also allegedly uncovered incoming transactions believed to be the sale of drugs in the Hamilton community.
Mr Stevenson was arrested.
Mr Stevenson told police he purchased the drugs from the dark web using cryptocurrency.
He said the LSD and cannabis were for personal use.
Magistrate Franz Holzer said Mr Stevenson was a "young person who got yourself in a horrible predicament".
"You need to understand how close you are to being denied your freedom," he said.
Mr Holzer granted Mr Stevenson bail but told him to "keep away from the drugs".
"The trafficking of drugs is really abhorrent and it should not occur," he said.
"It's an absolute mug's business."
Mr Stevenson was released from custody with strict conditions, including he reside in Brit Brit, not use drugs, comply with Youth Justice, not use the internet and abide by a 8pm to 6am curfew.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
