Australian federal police have announced the country's largest cocaine seizure, uncovering 2.7 tonnes of the drug hidden in underground bunkers at a property in Londonderry, Sydney. The operation, conducted on Friday, led to the arrest of two men, aged 21 and 25, who face charges related to the possession of a significant quantity of an unlawfully imported drug. The cocaine, estimated to have a street value of approximately $816 million, was reportedly imported near Midge Point in north Queensland and intended for distribution by a Sydney-based organized crime group.
The discovery was part of Operation Minjiang, a collaborative effort involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland police, and the Australian Border Force, among other agencies. The investigation commenced after authorities found 40 kilograms of cocaine in the waters off a boat ramp at Midge Point, leading them to suspect a larger drug importation scheme. A vessel, identified as the MV Wealth, believed to be linked to this operation, has been detained in the Solomon Islands.
The two arrested individuals appeared in a local court on Saturday and have been remanded in custody, with their next court date set for August 13. This significant seizure underscores ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in Australia, particularly concerning organized crime networks that exploit maritime routes for smuggling operations.