Australian Federal Police have seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine, the largest ever cocaine seizure in Australia, as part of an investigation which started in Mackay.
The seizure formed part of Operation Minjiang, a Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce investigation and follows the previous seizure of 178kg of cocaine and 142kg of methamphetamine, representing a total seizure of more than 3 tonnes of border controlled drugs.
AFP investigators searched a property in Londonderry, near western Sydney, on Friday, 19 June, uncovering cocaine in plastic tubs buried in underground bunkers concealed by false container floors.
The drugs seized have an estimated street value of about $816 million.
It will be alleged a Plumpton man, 21, and a Liverpool man, 25, attempted to evade police by fleeing on foot before being arrested.
The men were each charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The offence carries 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 next expected to appear before Penrith Local Court on 13 August, 2026.
Police will allege the cocaine seized at Londonderry was imported into Australia near Midge Point, in North Queensland, and transported to Sydney at the behest of a Sydney organised crime group.
Investigations into this group are continuing.
Operation Minjiang began in May, 2026, after 40kg of cocaine was located in the water off a boat ramp at Midge Point by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), which was responding to reports of a burnt-out flatbed truck.
Investigators identified a Mackay man, 41, as the owner of the flatbed truck and their methodical work led to the execution of cascading search warrants across north and southeast Queensland, along with one in Sydney.
Eight people have now been arrested and charged with varying offences relating to drug bust.
