**Title: Largest Cocaine Seizure in Australia's History Following Police Raid in Sydney**
**Published: 22 June 2026**
In a significant operation, Australian police have made the largest cocaine seizure in the country's history, confiscating 2.7 tonnes of the illicit substance from an underground bunker in western Sydney. The drugs, valued at approximately A$816 million (£433 million, €500 million), were discovered on Friday during a raid at a property in Londonderry.
The cocaine was hidden within compartments beneath false floors in three shipping containers, indicating a sophisticated smuggling operation. Two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested at the scene after allegedly attempting to evade law enforcement. They have been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug and are currently remanded in custody following their court appearance on Saturday. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.
The seizure is part of "Operation Minjiang," which was initiated in May after authorities found 40 kilograms of cocaine floating near a boat ramp in Midge Point, a small town in North Queensland. This initial discovery prompted further investigations, leading to the uncovering of the larger stash in Sydney. In connection with this operation, an additional six individuals in Queensland and New South Wales have also been arrested and charged.
The cocaine is believed to have been smuggled into Australia on the orders of an organized crime group, highlighting the extensive networks involved in the drug trade. Police have detained an alleged "mother vessel," suspected to be part of the smuggling operation, in the Solomon Islands.
Despite its geographical isolation, Australia remains a lucrative market for drug trafficking, with cocaine prices reaching around A$300 per gram, according to data from an illegal drugs monitoring system operated by the University of New South Wales. The country, along with New Zealand, has been reported to have the highest rates of cocaine use globally, as noted in last year's UN World Drug Report.
Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay commented on the operation, stating that it underscores the highly organized and determined nature of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking. He emphasized the lengths these groups are willing to go to for profit and assured that investigations into the origins of the drugs are ongoing. The police will collaborate with both international and domestic law enforcement agencies to identify the criminal syndicates and others involved in facilitating the drug importation.
This unprecedented seizure marks a significant milestone in Australia's ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organized crime, illustrating the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing the flow of illegal substances into the country. As investigations continue, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to dismantle the networks responsible for such operations.