Record Cocaine Haul Found Buried on Sydney Property

Australian police discovered a record 2,700 kg of cocaine on a property near Sydney on Friday. The drugs, with an estimated street value of A$816m ($572.3m), were hidden in plastic tubs buried inside three shipping containers with false floors.

The raid was part of an investigation into an organized crime syndicate accused of importing drugs along Australia’s east coast. Police said the cocaine had been smuggled into the country near Midge Point in north Queensland before being transported to Sydney on the group’s orders.

Two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested after allegedly trying to flee the scene on foot. Both were charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The record seizure follows earlier interceptions linked to the same investigation, including 178 kg of cocaine and 142 kg of methamphetamine. The total amount of drugs seized in connection with the case has now exceeded three tonnes.

(Reuters, Max)