Botanic Ridge’s Anthony Keys pleads not guilty to trafficking meth

More than $200,000 of Lego was seized from a Botanic Ridge man, believed to be the proceeds of crime, a court has heard.

Anthony Keys appeared at the Melbourne Magistrate Court to plead guilty to 10 charges including dealing in proceeds of crime and drug trafficking. Picture: NewsWire/Diego Fedele

A drug bust in Melbourne’s southeast led to more than $200,000 of Lego being seized from a Botanic Ridge man, believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Anthony Keys faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, pleading not guilty to 10 charges, including trafficking a “large commercial quantity” of meth. . an array of charges on Thursday.

Charge sheets allege Mr Keys had $200,000 in assorted boxes of Lego, $70,000 in cash and assorted gemstones and jewellery.

Thousands of dollars worth of Lego had to be transported after it was seized from a Botanic Ridge property in October, 2023. Picture: Victoria Police

Trafficking equipment and materials allegedly included assorted scientific glassware, chemicals and a 100L glass reaction vessel with an attached overhead mechanical stirrer.

The charges were laid after police conducted a clandestine drug laboratory bust at a Botanic Ridge property in Melbourne’s southeast on October 31, 2023.

Magistrate John O’Callaghan said the charges were “clearly serious matters”.

Mr Keys was bailed with a guarantee amount of $500,000.

He will appear in the County Court on April 3 for a directions hearing.