Australian police seize record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine buried near Sydney

Australian police have made a historic seizure, confiscating a record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in underground bunkers on the outskirts of Sydney. The massive drug haul, valued at over A$800 million (US$560 million) on the street, represents the largest cocaine seizure in Australian history.

Detectives believe a Sydney-based organized crime syndicate arranged for a foreign vessel to offload the drugs in northern Queensland before transporting them to Sydney for distribution. Investigations into the origin of the cocaine are ongoing, with authorities collaborating with international and domestic law enforcement partners. Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay highlighted that the seized drugs will not reach organized crime groups, preventing significant illicit profits.

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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.

Authorities have detained a suspected mother vessel, the MV Wealth, in the Solomon Islands for further investigation. Pacific Island nations are increasingly used as transit points for drug shipments to Australia and New Zealand. The cocaine was discovered on Friday in plastic tubs buried in concealed underground bunkers in Londonderry, a northwestern suburb of Sydney. Police arrested two men, aged 21 and 25, at the scene, while six others allegedly involved in the importation were previously arrested and charged.

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won't make it into the pockets of organised crime