Australian police have seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in an underground bunker beneath shipping containers in western Sydney, marking the largest cocaine seizure in the country’s history.
Authorities said the drugs, with an estimated street value of A$816 million (about US$500 million), were discovered during a raid on a property in Londonderry. Two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested at the scene and charged with possessing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug allegedly imported into Australia illegally. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.
Police said the cocaine was allegedly smuggled into Australia by an organized crime syndicate through the coastal town of Mackay Point in Queensland. The operation formed part of a broader investigation known as Operation Minjiang, which began in May after 40 kilograms of cocaine were found floating near a marina in Queensland.
Australian media reported that six other suspects have already been charged in Queensland and New South Wales in connection with the investigation. Authorities also said a vessel believed to have been involved in the trafficking operation was intercepted in the Solomon Islands.
The seizure comes as Australian authorities intensify efforts to combat international drug trafficking networks targeting the country’s lucrative narcotics market. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that organized crime groups view Australia as a high-value destination because of the premium prices illicit drugs can command.
According to Australian police and academic studies, cocaine prices in Australia remain among the highest in the world, making the country an attractive market for international trafficking syndicates. A recent United Nations report also found that Australia and New Zealand continue to record some of the highest rates of cocaine consumption globally.
Police said investigations into the origin of the shipment and those responsible for coordinating its importation remain ongoing, with authorities working alongside domestic and international partners to identify additional suspects linked to the operation.
