Pair charged for allegedly flying drugs into Port Phillip Prison in Melbourne’s west

Two people have been charged for allegedly using a drone to fly a milk carton stuffed with drugs into a prison in Melbourne’s west.

Two people have been charged after a drone was allegedly used to drop a milk carton stuffed with drugs into a prison in Melbourne’s west.

An accused drug trafficker charged with flying heroin and methamphetamine into a maximum-security prison has been ordered to live with his mum and get clean.

Mount Waverley man Lu Cai, 39, was on Monday granted bail on a raft of charges involving an alleged plot to drop the illicit drugs into Port Phillip Prison using a drone.

The drugs were found on prison grounds stuffed inside a milk carton in March, sparking a major prison security operation.

The operation led to raids at properties in Mount Waverley and Brunswick West and the subsequent arrest of Mr Cai and his co-accused, a 31-year-old Brunswick West woman.

A carton understood to be full of illicit drugs and nicotine patches was found by staff at Port Phillip Prison. Picture: Google Maps

Mr Cai is charged with trafficking a drug of dependence, introducing an item into a prison, possessing drugs and prescription medication, handling stolen goods, dealing in the proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited weapon, failure to answer bail and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.

Magistrate Hayley Bate on Monday bailed Mr Cai on conditions including that he stops using drugs and doesn’t contact prosecution witnesses or his co-accused.

He was also ordered to live under his mother’s supervision.

“This is your chance. You stood in that dock the other day and said to me, ‘I want to rehabilitate. I want to turn my life around. I want to get off this stuff.’ So this is your opportunity,” she said.

The alleged plot involved a drone used to drop the illicit drugs into Port Phillip Prison.

Mr Cai had just one question when he learnt his charges would be released to the media.

“Will my full name be there, your honour?” he asked.

The case will return to Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on August 28.

The drug arrests were carried out by detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad with support by Corrections Victoria.

A drone, methamphetamine, heroin, 11 Buprenorphine strips and prescription medication were seized in the raids.

Also confiscated was a sword with a cobra sheath, multiple identity documents in different names and several mobile phones.

The identify documents included bank cards, driver’s licenses and a Medicare card.

The Brunswick West woman faces charges of trafficking a drug of dependence and introducing an item into a prison and possessing drugs.

She was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 26.

Those who send or attempt to send items in or out of prison face a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson warned: “If you are involved in drugs, make no mistake, we have our eyes on you”.

“For those who attempt to breach the security of our prisons we will work hard to ensure that you face becoming a resident and not a guest at one of the facilities.

“Our experienced detectives will continue to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks right across Victoria.”

Anyone with information about drug trafficking or items sent into Victorian prisons is urged to report the information via crimestoppersvic.com.au on 1800 333 000.