Largest ever cocaine bust in Australia after police raid underground bunker
Six people have been charged over that cocaine and 142 kilograms of methamphetamine that was also found in the investigation.
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Summary
Six people have been charged over that cocaine and 142 kilograms (313 pounds) of methamphetamine that was also found in the investigation. Police said the cocaine found in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales state and Australia's most populous city, landed by boat at Midge Point in the sparsely-populated Queensland tropics. The Solomons are 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Queensland.
Furthermore, Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay said organized crime groups were increasingly targeting Queensland's 13,000-kilometer (8,000-mile) coastline to smuggle drugs. Police added that they suspect the shipment was landed from the same mother ship as 178 kilograms (392 pounds) of cocaine previously seized in Queensland. Australia's previous record cocaine haul was 2.34 metric tons (2.58 tons) seized in 2024 from a fishing boat near K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, off the Queensland state coast.
In addition, 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. Australians and New Zealanders also have the highest cocaine use rates in the world, according to last year's UN World Drug Report.
One point remains disputed: Opposite versions — Two men aged 21 and 25, were arrested at the scene and charged with possessing a… ; A number of people have been arrested over the alleged scheme. ( Supplied: AFP )….
Cross-referenced from 10 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
Six people have been charged over that cocaine and 142 kilograms (313 pounds) of methamphetamine that was also found in the investigation.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesPolice said the cocaine found in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales state and Australia's most populous city, landed by boat at Midge Point in the sparsely-populated Queensland tropics.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesThe Solomons are 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Queensland.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesAustralian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay said organized crime groups were increasingly targeting Queensland's 13,000-kilometer (8,000-mile) coastline to smuggle drugs.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesPolice added that they suspect the shipment was landed from the same mother ship as 178 kilograms (392 pounds) of cocaine previously seized in Queensland.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesAustralia's previous record cocaine haul was 2.34 metric tons (2.58 tons) seized in 2024 from a fishing boat near K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, off the Queensland state coast.
reliability moderate2/3 sourcesOperation 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.
reliability moderate2/5 sourcesAustralians and New Zealanders also have the highest cocaine use rates in the world, according to last year's UN World Drug Report.
reliability moderate2/2 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
Nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas is transported through the strait, as well as about 30 percent of the global fertiliser trade.
according to The IslandTrump used similar language in his New York Times interview earlier this week, floating the US becoming “the guardian of the Middle East” in exchange for 20 percent of its revenue.
according to The IslandPolice noted that Australia has become an attractive market for drug trafficking networks.
according to MyRepublica2.7 tonnes of cocaine seized from underground bunker in Sydney, Australia’s largest ever haul.
according to MyRepublicaAn alleged mother vessel suspected to be part of the illicit drug importation into Queensland, the MV Wealth, has been detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands for further investigation, police said.
according to Japan Today +3Despite its remoteness, Australia is a lucrative market for the drugs trade, with cocaine typically fetching around A$300 per gram, according to an illegal drugs monitoring system run by the University of New South Wales.
according to BBC News - WorldThe two men, who were remanded in custody after appearing in court on Saturday, face life in prison if convicted.
according to BBC News - WorldAustralians pay some of the world's highest prices for cocaine, which makes Australia a lucrative market for drug traffickers.
according to Africanews +1In this photo provided by the Australian Federal Police, a man, center, is arrested by police in Londonderry in western Sydney, Friday, June 19, 2026.
according to NPR — WorldAustralian Federal Police via AP hide caption toggle caption Australian Federal Police via AP MELBOURNE, Australia — Police found 2.7 metric tons (3 tons) of cocaine on a property on Sydney's outskirts in Australia's largest ever seizure of the drug, officials said on Monday.
according to NPR — World
Disputedincompatible versions — to verify
Opposite versions
- Two men aged 21 and 25, were arrested at the scene and charged with possessing a…Africanews, BBC News - World, Daily Mirror - World News, Euronews English — Home, Japan Today, MyRepublica, NPR — World, The Guardian - World
- A number of people have been arrested over the alleged scheme. ( Supplied: AFP )…ABC News Australia
Divergent figures
- The drugs, with an estimated street value of £433m, were found on Friday in compartments…Africanews, Euronews English — Home, NPR — World
- The drugs, with an estimated street value of £433m, were found on Friday in compartments…Daily Mirror - World News
Divergent figures
- The drugs, with an estimated street value of £433m, were found on Friday in compartments…ABC News Australia, BBC News - World, Daily Mirror - World News, MyRepublica
- Almost 3 tonnes of cocaine has been seized at a semi-rural property in Londonderry. (…ABC News Australia, Euronews English — Home
Divergent figures
- The drugs, with an estimated street value of £433m, were found on Friday in compartments…Africanews, NPR — World
- Australian police seize record 2.7 tons of cocaine.Japan Today
Opposite versions
- Another six people in Queensland and New South Wales were arrested and charged as part of…BBC News - World
- Another six people in Queensland and New South Wales were arrested and charged as part of…Daily Mirror - World News
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Australians and New Zealanders also have the highest cocaine use rates in the world, according to last year's UN World Drug Report.
omitted byLeft sidecovered byCenterPublic / AgenciesThey allege that a Sydney organized crime group transported the drug by road to the city, a distance of 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles),…
omitted byPublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenterThe Solomons are 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Queensland.
omitted byPublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenterAustralian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay said organized crime groups were increasingly targeting Queensland's 13,000-kilometer…
omitted byPublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenterSix people have been charged over that cocaine and 142 kilograms (313 pounds) of methamphetamine that was also found in the investigation.
omitted byPublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenter
Sources10 sources cross-checked
Story timelinehow this story developed, day by day
Monday, June 22
Record stash of cocaine found buried underground in Australia
Reliability 70 · high7 sources5 independent voices5 countries · 1 languagesCross-bloc3 disputedblind spot · Left siderewrites detectedRecord amount of cocaine discovered in Australia
Reliability 43 · moderate6 sources2 independent voices2 countries · 1 languagesFraming differsrewrites detectedAustralian police seize a record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine
Reliability 47 · moderate3 sources3 independent voices3 countries · 1 languagesdisputedblind spot · Public / Agencies