Brenton Skanes charged over $300,000 LSD seizure in Adelaide, largest on record in SA
An 18-year-old man is behind bars tonight after being arrested over the largest LSD seizure in SA’s history.
A teenager has been charged over the state’s largest LSD seizure, worth about $300,000.
Brenton Skanes, 18, of Marion, is accused of attempting to import 20,000 tabs of LSD, a hallucinogenic drug, which he had purchased over the dark web.
Police will allege he arranged to have the sheets of “tickets” mailed to an address in the Adelaide CBD.
However, detectives from the South Australian Joint Agency Ice Strike Team and the SA Police Serious & Organised Crime Branch arrested the man on Wednesday.
Skanes appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court late on Thursday charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of the controlled drug.
The court heard that, when he arrived to collect the parcel — which was not addressed to him — he showed a Canadian passport and drivers licence as identification.
He was then arrested by police.
Counsel for Skanes asked he be released on ordinary bail, saying those identification documents had been seized by police.
They said their client was a dual Australian/Canadian citizen, and that his Australian passport had also been taken during a police search.
Magistrate Alfio Grasso said he wanted proof that all of Skanes’ passports had been seized and remanded him in custody for a further hearing on Friday.
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.
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Detective Chief Inspector Tony Crameri said it was the largest seizure of this drug 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 Co-ordinator Operations Superintendent Gail McClure said the arrest should send a strong warning to criminals.
“If you participate in illegal activities, the AFP will catch, arrest and prosecute you,” Superintendent McClure said.