Australian Federal Police have seized a record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine in the country’s largest-ever cocaine bust, allegedly linked to an organised crime plot to import and distribute drugs along Australia’s east coast.
The seizure was made as part of Operation Minjiang, a Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce investigation, which has now intercepted more than three tonnes of illicit drugs, including an earlier seizure of 178kg of cocaine and 142kg of methamphetamine.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay said the seizure demonstrated the scale and determination of organised crime networks attempting to profit from illicit drug trafficking.
“Criminal networks go to extreme lengths to smuggle drugs into Australia with no regard for the harm they cause to Australian communities,” Commander Jay said.
“This alleged plot to distribute nearly three tonnes of cocaine demonstrates how highly organised and determined these criminal networks are.”
AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a semi-rural property in Londonderry, near western Sydney, on Friday, 19 June 2026, where they allegedly uncovered the massive cocaine shipment hidden inside underground bunkers.
Police allege two men — a 21-year-old from Plumpton and a 25-year-old from Liverpool — attempted to flee on foot when officers arrived but were arrested.
During a search of three shipping containers at the property, investigators allegedly found plastic tubs containing 2.7 tonnes of cocaine concealed beneath false container floors.
Authorities estimate the seized drugs would have had a street value of approximately $816 million if distributed in the community, representing about three million street-level deals.
The two men have each been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug under section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth), an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
They appeared before a NSW Local Court on Saturday, 20 June 2026, and were remanded in custody. They are expected to next appear before Penrith Local Court on 13 August 2026.
Police allege the cocaine was imported into Australia near Midge Point in North Queensland before being transported to Sydney on behalf of an organised crime group. Investigations into the alleged criminal network are continuing.
Operation Minjiang began in May 2026 after Queensland Police discovered 40kg of cocaine in waters near a boat ramp at Midge Point while responding to reports of a burnt-out flatbed truck.
Investigators later identified a 41-year-old Mackay man as the owner of the vehicle, leading to a series of search warrants across north and south-east Queensland and Sydney.
Several people have since been charged over their alleged roles in the attempted importation and distribution operation.
A 32-year-old Petrie man was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, while a 32-year-old Petrie woman was charged with the same offence. Police allege the woman lived at a suspected safehouse connected to the operation and was involved in storing the drugs.
A 24-year-old Green Valley man was also charged after being extradited from NSW to Queensland. Police allege he travelled to Midge Point in May and helped facilitate the collection and transportation of the drugs.
An alleged mother vessel linked to the importation, the MV Wealth, remains detained in the Solomon Islands as investigations continue.
Queensland Police Service Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the operation showed the effectiveness of cooperation between state and federal agencies.
“This outcome has removed a significant quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine from the criminal market and prevented these dangerous drugs from causing further harm across Australia,” he said.
Australian Border Force Commander Troy Sokoloff said the result sent a warning to organised crime groups.
“Criminal syndicates should be on notice — law enforcement agencies are working together to detect, target and disrupt their operations.”
Operation Minjiang involves officers from the AFP, Queensland Police Service, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and the Australian Taxation Office, with assistance from NSW Police.
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