Man faces court over cowhide ice import

A Mexican national has faced a Melbourne court over the alleged importation of 750kg of ice found in frozen cowhides shipped from Mexico to Sydney.

Juan Manuel Plaza Lopez, 42, was arrested in Melbourne on Wednesday as part of an Australian Federal Police and Border Force operation.

He's charged with importing a commercial quantity of ice into NSW on August 10 this year and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of the drug between August 14 and 28.

Investigators seized a number of telephones and two computer devices from a property in St Kilda, resulting in a "considerable amount" of material that needs to be translated, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.

It includes a number of emails and WhatsApp chats.

Plaza Lopez is the only person charged over the import, which the AFP says is the equivalent of 7.5 million street deals and worth $566 million.

Plaza Lopez didn't apply for bail on Thursday.

The court heard he has previously been treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma and is required to undergo monthly checks.

He's due to return to court for a committal mention on December 19.