Australian authorities have made the largest cocaine seizure in the country's history, confiscating 2.7 tonnes of the drug valued at approximately A$816 million (£433 million, €500 million). The bust occurred during a police raid on an underground bunker system in Londonderry, western Sydney, where the cocaine was hidden beneath false floors in three shipping containers. Two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested at the scene after allegedly attempting to flee and now face serious charges, including possession of a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.
The operation, dubbed 'Operation Minjiang,' was initiated in May following the discovery of 40 kilograms of cocaine floating near a boat ramp in Midge Point, North Queensland. This significant find has led to the arrest of six additional individuals across Queensland and New South Wales as part of an ongoing investigation into organized crime networks. Authorities have also detained a suspected 'mother vessel' linked to the smuggling operation in the Solomon Islands. AFP Commander Stephen Jay emphasized the sophistication and determination of these criminal organizations, highlighting their willingness to go to extreme lengths for profit.
Investigations continue as police collaborate with both international and domestic law enforcement agencies to trace the origins of the drugs and identify all individuals involved in this alleged smuggling attempt. The scale of this operation underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug trafficking in Australia, particularly from organized crime syndicates operating across borders.