Australian Federal Police say they have seized the largest cocaine haul in the country’s history, uncovering 2.7 tonnes of the drug in underground bunkers hidden beneath shipping containers at a semi-rural property in Londonderry, in Sydney’s west.
The cocaine, estimated by authorities to have a street value of about $816 million, was found on Friday during a joint investigation involving the AFP and Queensland Police. Investigators allege the shipment formed part of a wider importation plot that began in northern Queensland before the drugs were moved south for distribution by an organised crime group.
Hidden bunkers found under shipping containers
Police said the Londonderry seizure involved a sophisticated concealment system. The drugs were allegedly stored in underground bunkers, with false floors built into three shipping containers near the rear of the property. Officers became suspicious after noticing disturbed earth beside one of the containers, prompting a closer search of the site.
Images released by police showed large quantities of packaged drugs stacked in tubs and laid out near the containers. AFP Commander Stephen Jay described the concealment as a “complex hide” and said the scale of the seizure demonstrated the reach and resources of organised criminal networks attempting to move cocaine into Australia.
Authorities estimate the cocaine could have been broken down into about three million street-level deals. Police said removing the shipment from circulation had prevented significant harm in the community and disrupted a criminal enterprise worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Queensland discovery triggered wider investigation
The investigation began in Queensland last month after local police responded to a truck fire at a boat ramp near Midge Point, north of Mackay. Officers later found about 40 kilograms of cocaine floating in nearby water. Police allege the fire was an attempt to destroy evidence connected to the importation.
That discovery led to a month-long multi-agency operation that tracked the alleged movement of drugs from Queensland to New South Wales. Police will allege the cocaine was imported near Midge Point and transported to Sydney at the direction of a Sydney-based organised crime group. Authorities have not publicly named the group.
Commander Jay said the Londonderry haul and another related seizure in Brisbane were considered part of the same importation. Together, police say the operation involved about 3.1 tonnes of drugs with a potential street value of more than $1 billion.
Six people charged as vessel detained overseas
Six people have been arrested and charged over their alleged roles in the importation enterprise. Two men in their 20s were arrested at the Londonderry property after allegedly attempting to evade police. They have been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of drugs, appeared before a NSW Local Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody. Both are expected to return to court in August.
In Queensland, a 32-year-old Petrie man and a 32-year-old Petrie woman have been charged with offences including attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. A 24-year-old Green Valley man has also been charged and extradited to Queensland, with police alleging he travelled to Midge Point in May to help facilitate the collection and transport of the drugs.
Police also allege a vessel known as MV Wealth was involved in the importation plot. The AFP said the vessel has been detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands while further inquiries continue.
Queensland Police Service Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the operation showed the value of cooperation between state and federal investigators. Commander Jay said authorities were “reasonably comfortable” that all drugs linked to the alleged importation had been located, but investigations remain ongoing and the accused remain before the courts.