Police have carried out Australia’s largest ever cocaine bust, following an investigation that began in Queensland.
Officers seized 2.7 tonnes of the drug after raiding a property in Sydney’s west on Friday.
The drugs are estimated to have a street value of around $816 million.
The investigation into the drugs began in May after 40 kg of cocaine was found in waters off a boat ramp at Midge Point in Mackay by officers responding to reports of a burnt-out flatbed truck.
Detectives worked out that the truck belonged to a 41-year-old Mackay man, prompting a series of search warrants to be executed across north and southeast Queensland as well as in Sydney.
Six people had previously been arrested after being identified as having alleged roles in the enterprise.
The investigation led officers to a property at Londonderry in Sydney’s west on Friday, where a 21-year-old man and a 25-year-old man tried to flee on foot before being arrested.
Police searched three shipping containers on the property, locating the huge haul of cocaine in plastic tubs that had been buried in underground bunkers concealed by false container floors.
The men were charged and fronted court on Saturday, where they were remanded in custody.
Image: AFP
“This alleged plot to distribute nearly three tonnes of cocaine — by arranging for an international vessel to offload the drugs in Northern Queensland before moving them into Sydney — demonstrates how highly organised and determined these criminal networks are, and the extreme lengths they are willing to go to in pursuit of profit,” AFP Commander Stephen Jay said.
“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.”
