Australian authorities have executed the nation’s largest-ever cocaine seizure, uncovering 2.7 tonnes of the drug hidden within a sophisticated underground bunker in western Sydney.
The illicit haul, which has an estimated street value of A$816 million (£433 million), was discovered on Friday during a raid on a property in Londonderry. Investigators found the narcotics concealed in compartments built beneath false floors in three shipping containers.
Two men, aged 21 and 25, were apprehended at the scene after allegedly attempting to flee from officers. Both have been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.
Following a court appearance on Saturday, they were remanded in custody and now face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, reports BBC.
The raid was a primary component of “Operation Minjiang,” an investigation initiated in May after 40kg of cocaine was found floating near a boat ramp in Midge Point, North Queensland.
Police allege the record-breaking shipment was smuggled into Australia via Midge Point under the direction of an organised crime syndicate.
In addition to Londonderry arrests, six other individuals in Queensland and New South Wales have been charged as part of the broader investigation. A suspected “mother vessel” linked to the smuggling operation has been detained in the Solomon Islands.
Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay said the alleged plot highlights the “extreme lengths” criminal networks will go to in pursuit of profit.
“Investigations into the origin of the drugs remain ongoing, and we will work with our international and domestic law enforcement partners to identify the criminal syndicates and anyone else involved in facilitating this alleged attempted drug import,” Commander Jay said.
Despite its remote location, Australia remains a highly lucrative market for international drug traffickers. According to an illegal drugs monitoring system at the University of New South Wales, cocaine typically fetches approximately A$300 per gram. Last year’s UN World Drug Report also noted that Australia and New Zealand currently maintain the highest cocaine use rates in the world.
