Australian Federal Police have charged a 76-year-old man after he allegedly brought more than $22 million worth of the drug ice into the country hidden in shoeboxes.
The Canadian national arrived on a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne Airport on Wednesday, where quarantine officers found a substance hidden in about seven shoeboxes.
Police said it would be alleged in court that after the drug was uncovered, the man claimed it was salt.
Border Force officers tested the substance, which showed it was crystal methamphetamine, which also goes by the street name ice.
The shoebox haul weighed about 24 kilograms, which police said was equivalent to "about 240,000 street deals".
The 76-year-old was charged with importing a criminal quantity of a border-controlled drug and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
"It is rare that one individual can organise the purchase, importation and distribution of such a large quantity of illicit drugs," Detective Inspector Chris Salmon said.
"There is often an organised criminal syndicate operating behind such drug importations."
Police are continuing their investigations into the source of the drugs and have not ruled out further charges.
The man was remanded in custody and is next expected to face court on September 1.
