MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian authorities have uncovered a massive underground drug operation near Sydney, seizing nearly 2.7 metric tons of cocaine in what police say is the largest cocaine bust in the country’s history.
The drugs were discovered on a semi-rural property in Londonderry, on the outskirts of Sydney, where they had been concealed in plastic containers hidden beneath underground bunkers and shipping containers with false floors.
Hidden Drug Network Exposed
According to the Queensland Joint Organized Crime Taskforce, the cocaine was located during a coordinated police operation on June 19. Officers found the illicit cargo carefully concealed in an effort to avoid detection, suggesting a highly organized trafficking network.
Two men, aged 21 and 25 and both residents of Sydney, were arrested at the scene and charged with possession of a commercial quantity of illegal drugs. If convicted, they face potential life sentences under Australian law.
Authorities estimate the seized cocaine has a street value of approximately 816 million Australian dollars (around $572 million USD).
Drug Shipment Linked to Maritime Smuggling Route
Investigators believe the cocaine was transported into Australia by sea before being offloaded at Midge Point in northern Queensland. From there, it was allegedly moved more than 1,800 kilometers south by road to Sydney.
Police suspect the shipment is connected to a larger transnational smuggling operation involving organized crime networks operating across the Pacific.
Authorities also believe the drugs may have originated from the same maritime “mother ship” linked to earlier seizures, including 178 kilograms of cocaine and additional methamphetamine discovered in separate operations in Queensland.
Possible Link to International Crime Vessel
Investigators are examining whether the cargo is connected to a Belize-flagged vessel known as MV Wealth, which was previously intercepted by authorities in the Solomon Islands on suspicion of involvement in global drug trafficking networks.
The ship is believed to be part of a broader maritime smuggling system used by organized crime groups targeting Australia’s long and remote coastline.
Record-Breaking Seizure for Australia
The latest discovery surpasses Australia’s previous record cocaine seizure of 2.34 metric tons in 2024, which was recovered from a fishing vessel off the Queensland coast.
Law enforcement officials say the scale of the latest operation highlights the increasing sophistication and ambition of international drug trafficking syndicates.
Rising Concern Over Drug Trafficking Routes
Authorities warn that Australia’s extensive coastline—spanning more than 13,000 kilometers—continues to be exploited by criminal organizations seeking to move high-value narcotics into the country.
Officials also noted that cocaine commands extremely high street prices in Australia, making it one of the most lucrative destinations for global drug traffickers.
Law enforcement agencies say investigations are ongoing as they work to identify additional suspects and dismantle the wider network behind the operation.
