Authorities in Australia announced Monday they have made the nation’s biggest cocaine bust in history, recovering 2,700 kilograms of the drug from a semi-rural property on the western edge of Sydney.
The Australian Federal Police reported the seized cocaine carries an estimated street value of approximately A$816 million — roughly $572.3 million in U.S. currency. Officers found the drugs packed into plastic tubs that had been buried inside three shipping containers equipped with false floors.
The discovery was made on Friday during an ongoing investigation targeting an organized crime syndicate believed to be responsible for bringing illegal drugs into Australia along the country’s eastern coastline.
Two men, one 21 years old and the other 25, were taken into custody after they allegedly tried to run from the scene on foot. Both now face charges of possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug — an offense that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Investigators say the cocaine was initially smuggled into the country near Midge Point in northern Queensland before being moved south to Sydney under the direction of the criminal organization. The investigation into the syndicate remains active.
This latest find comes on top of earlier drug interceptions tied to the same case, including 178 kilograms of cocaine and 142 kilograms of methamphetamine. Combined with Monday’s announcement, the total amount of drugs seized through this investigation has surpassed three metric tonnes.
