Torquay’s Joel Gross charged with importing cocaine, importing psychedelic drug, imitation gun possession

A Torquay man has been embroiled in a dark web cocaine sting, with federal police alleging he imported about $5000 worth of the drug using Bitcoin.

A Torquay man used the dark web to buy about $5000 worth of cocaine from Europe using the digital currency Bitcoin, police allege.

Joel Gross, 33, allegedly bought cocaine from the Netherlands and Great Britain between August 2019 and April 2020 after he accessed the dark web on his laptop, court documents reveal.

It is alleged Mr Gross, whose case came before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court this week, used a special browser on his computer to import cocaine via the post in amounts ranging between 1g and 3g on seven occasions.  

It is alleged Joel Gross, whose case came before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court this week, used a special browser on his computer to import cocaine via the post.

On February 18, 2020 it is alleged an officer from an Australian Federal Police task force, responsible for detecting organised crime, tested 3g of white powder contained in a package  addressed to Mr Gross at the Torquay post office which returned a positive result for cocaine.

Court documents allege whoever sent cocaine to Mr Gross on December 12, 2019, tried to conceal it among multiple sheets of paper inside an envelope.

While on February 24, 2020 a package sent from Germany to Mr Gross allegedly contained 3gs of a psychedelic drug concealed within a green Ginseng tea bag.

Police swooped on Mr Gross’s home on May 5, 2020 and allegedly found two spring-action imitation guns, lists of parcel tracking numbers, a credit card knife, and a phone containing messages talking about drug selling.

Court documents reveal spot testing of the powders found in packages sent to Mr Gross returned results for cocaine and another psychedelic drug.

Results of forensic testing on the substances are still pending.

Mr Gross is charged with importing cocaine, importing a psychedelic drug and possessing imitation firearms. He is due to face court again on November 2. 

Originally published as Torquay’s Joel Gross charged with importing cocaine, importing psychedelic drug, imitation gun possession