Australian authorities have confiscated 2.7 tonnes of cocaine, marking the largest drug seizure in the country’s history. The illicit drugs, valued at £433 million, were discovered hidden in underground bunkers beneath false floors within three shipping containers at a property in Londonderry, western Sydney. Following the operation, two individuals aged 21 and 25 were apprehended and charged with possession of a substantial amount of an unlawfully imported drug.
Law enforcement officials revealed that the cocaine was smuggled into Australia through Midge Point in North Queensland by an organized crime syndicate. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) conducted a search at a rural property in Londonderry on June 19, where the massive drug haul was uncovered in plastic containers buried underground and obscured by false container floors.
The arrested individuals faced charges related to the possession of a commercial quantity of an illicit imported drug, carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. They appeared before a New South Wales Local Court and were remanded in custody, with a scheduled court appearance at Penrith Local Court in August 2026.
Authorities alleged that the seized cocaine was initially imported near Midge Point in North Queensland and then transported to Sydney under the direction of a criminal group based in the city. Ongoing investigations are focused on unraveling the activities of this criminal network.
The seizure was a result of Operation Minjiang, launched in May 2026 after Queensland Police found 40kg of cocaine near a boat ramp at Midge Point while responding to a burnt-out truck incident. Subsequently, six more individuals in Queensland and New South Wales were arrested and charged as part of the broader investigation.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay commended the dedicated efforts of law enforcement agencies in dismantling the criminal network and safeguarding Australian communities from the harmful impact of illegal drugs. He emphasized the elaborate nature of drug smuggling operations and the risks involved, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combatting such criminal activities.