Australia's largest cocaine seizure in Sydney linked to organised crime network
Consensus Summary
Australian authorities conducted the country's largest cocaine seizure, uncovering 2.7 tonnes of the drug worth an estimated $816 million at a property in Londonderry, Greater Western Sydney, on June 20, 2026. The drugs were hidden in underground bunkers beneath shipping containers and linked to a Sydney-based organised crime group. The investigation, codenamed Operation Minjiang, began after 40kg of cocaine was discovered near Midge Point, North Queensland, in May. Two men in their 20s were arrested in Sydney and charged with drug possession, while additional arrests in Queenslandâincluding a Petrie man, a Petrie woman, and a Green Valley manâwere tied to the importation scheme. A vessel, MV Wealth, was detained in the Solomon Islands for further investigation. The multi-agency operation involved the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police, and the Australian Border Force, highlighting the sophistication of criminal networks involved in large-scale drug trafficking.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- 2.7 tonnes of cocaine were seized at a semi-rural property in Londonderry, Greater Western Sydney, on June 20, 2026
- The cocaine had an estimated street value of $816 million, equivalent to about 3 million street-level deals
- Two men aged 21 and 25 were arrested and charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug
- The drugs were found in plastic tubs buried in underground bunkers concealed beneath three shipping containers on the property
- The cocaine was allegedly imported near Midge Point, North Queensland, and transported to Sydney by a Sydney organised crime group
- The seizure was part of Operation Minjiang, a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police, and the Australian Border Force
- The investigation began after 40kg of cocaine was found in the water off a boat ramp at Midge Point on the Whitsunday Coast
- The two men arrested appeared before a NSW Local Court on June 22, 2026, and were remanded in custody, with their next court appearance scheduled for August 13, 2026
- A vessel named MV Wealth, suspected of involvement in the drug importation, was detained in the Solomon Islands
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A 32-year-old Petrie man was charged with possessing a dangerous drug, dealing with proceeds of crime, and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug
- A 32-year-old Petrie woman was charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and allegedly lived at a suspected safe house connected to the operation
- A 24-year-old Green Valley man was charged and extradited to Queensland last week, allegedly travelling to Midge Point in May to help facilitate the collection and transportation of the drugs
- Six people were arrested and charged as part of their alleged roles in the drug import enterprise
- The operation began after Mackay police discovered drugs at Midge Point during a truck fire investigation
- AFP Commander Stephen Jay stated the plot demonstrates the 'highly organised and determined' nature of criminal networks
- Queensland Police Superintendent Troy Pukallus noted the operation removed a 'significant quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine' from the market
- The seizure was made by the Australian federal police on Friday, June 20, 2026, at a semi-rural property in Londonderry
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC mentions a 'number of people have been charged over the alleged drug importation scheme,' while the Guardian specifies only two men were arrested and charged in Sydney
Source Articles
Almost three tonnes of cocaine found buried under Sydney property in Australiaâs biggest ever seizure, police say
Australian Federal Police arrested and charged two men after allegedly finding 2.7 tonnes of cocaine in âbunkersâ under shipping containers Police have made what they say is Australiaâs biggest ever cocaine seizure, uncovering 2.7 tonnes of the drug buried in secret bunkers at a property on Sydneyâs western fringes. The seizure was made by the Australian Federal Police on Friday 19 June at a semi-rural property in Londonderry. Continue reading...
Record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine found in Australia's biggest drug bust
A record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated street value of $816 million has been seized at a semi-rural property in Greater Western Sydney.