Elias Hamwi fronts Melbourne Magistrates' Court over alleged $41m liquid meth importation

A man with alleged links to Middle Eastern organised crime has faced court again over the alleged importation of 500 litres of liquid methamphetamine.

A man with alleged links to Middle Eastern organised crime faces life in prison after he was allegedly caught importing 500 litres of liquid methamphetamine in vinegar bottles.

Elias Hamwi, 43, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on charges

of importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine following an eight-week investigation by the Australian Federal Police.

Mr Hamwi, of Fawkner, and who is on bail, appeared via video link.

Police allege the drugs have a street value of more than $41.6m.

It is alleged Australian Border Force officers found the methamphetamine concealed in a shipping container of food products labelled as jams, vinegars and sauces, which arrived from Turkey on February 8.

Anomalies were detected in X-rays by officers before a physical examination allegedly found a crystal substance in the plastic barrels’ base.

On April 5, 2023, police executed search warrants in Fawkner as well as a Bentleigh East commercial property, and Mr Hamwi was charged.

Renowned underworld defence lawyer Theo Magazis is representing Mr Hamwi.

Magistrate Belinda Franjic set the next court date – which will be a contested committal hearing – for April 29 and April 30, 2024.

Mr Hamwi will be remanded on bail until that date.