Australian police hail world's largest ecstasy haul
Updated
A total of 13 people have appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court accused of being involved in an international drug network.
Our reporter Liz Hobday says the accused are among 20 people arrested around Australia on Friday after an investigation lasting more than 12 months.
The investigation involved the seizure of 4.4 tonnes of Ecstacy in Melbourne last year and a further 150 kilograms of cocaine uncovered in the last two weeks.
Prosecutors told the Melbourne Magistrates Court the volume of surveillance material means the brief of evidence against the accused would take up to six months to prepare.
The court heard the material includes almost 200,000 secretly recorded phone calls and 3,600 bugged conversations.
The accused have yet to plea to drugs charges and will return to court in March.
