In the biggest cocaine seizure in Australian history, police have seized 2.7 tonnes of drugs and arrested eight people.
The Australian Federal Police on Monday released details of a raid last Friday in western Sydney that led to the discovery of the drugs allegedly hidden in containers in a secret bunker.
The cocaine was contained in plastic tubs buried in the underground bunker concealed by false container floors.
Police say the cocaine haul is an estimated street value of about $816 million and was equivalent to about three million street deals.
The AFP believes the huge haul of drugs did not originate in the Solomon Islands.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay said officers were alerted by disturbed earth close to a shipping container when they raided the Londonderry property.
He said this led them to the discovery of a “a complex hide … obviously designed for the purpose of concealment.”
During the raid on the semi-rural property in Londonderry, two western Sydney men, aged 21 and 25, allegedly attempted to run away but were caught by officers.
They were charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
They are next due to face court in August.
The cocaine bust was part of Operation Minjiang, which was launched in May after 40kg of cocaine was found in the water off a boat ramp at Midge Point in North Queensland.
Police will allege the cocaine seized at Londonderry was imported into Australia near Midge Point and moved to Sydney at the behest of one of the city’s organised crime groups. Investigations into this group are continuing.
Last week the AFP announced six people were identified and have been arrested and charged with various drug offences as part of their alleged roles.
A drug carrying mother vessel suspected to be part of the illicit drug importation into Midge Point, remains detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands for further investigation. (Nine.com.au)