The AFP has seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine - the largest ever cocaine seizure in Australia - as part of an investigation into an organised crime plot to import and distribute significant quantities of border-controlled drugs along Australia's east coast.
The seizure formed part of Operation Minjiang, a Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (QJOCTF) investigation. It 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 executed a search warrant at a semi-rural property in Londonderry, near western Sydney, on Friday (19 June, 2026).
It will be alleged a Plumpton man, 21, and a Liverpool man, 25, attempted to evade police by fleeing on foot before being arrested.
During a search of three shipping containers near the rear of the property, police located the 2.7 tonnes of cocaine in plastic tubs buried in underground bunkers concealed by false container floors.
This amount of cocaine, had it reached the Australian community, had an estimated street value of about $816 million and equates to about three million street level deals.
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.
As detailed last week, six people were identified, arrested and charged as part of their alleged various roles in this failed criminal import enterprise. They have been charged with varying offences relating to the possession of illicit drugs, or conspiracy to possess them.
A Petrie man, 32, charged with possessing a dangerous drug and dealing with proceeds of crime, was further charged on 19 June, 2026, with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to section 307.5(1), by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He is next expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 31 July, 2026.
A Petrie woman, 32, has also been charged with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug contrary to section 307.5(1), by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
It will be alleged she lived at a suspected safehouse connected to the operation and was complicit in the storage of the drugs.
She is expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 31 July, 2026.
A 24-year-old NSW man was charged on 17 June, 2026, and extradited to Queensland on 19 June, 2026. It will be alleged the Green Valley man travelled to Midge Point in May, 2026, and helped facilitate the collection and transportation of the drugs in concert with the Mackay region man.
He is next expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 18 September 2026.
An alleged mother vessel suspected to be part of the illicit drug importation into Midge Point, MV Wealth, remains detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands for further investigation.
The QJOCTF comprises officers from the AFP, QPS, Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and Australian Tax Office (ATO). QJOCTF were also assisted by the NSW Police Force Highway Patrol for this operation.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay praised the unwavering commitment of AFP investigators, and QJOCTF law enforcement partners, to ensure this criminal network did not profit from its ill-gotten goods and keep Australians safe from the growing threat of illicit drugs.
"We know criminals go to extreme lengths, and often risk their own lives, to smuggle drugs into Australia with no regard to the harm they cause to Australian communities," Commander Jay said.
"This alleged plot to distribute nearly three tonnes of cocaine - by arranging for an international vessel to offload the drugs in Northern Queensland before moving them into Sydney - demonstrates how highly organised and determined these criminal networks are, and the extreme lengths they are willing to go to in pursuit of profit.
"Investigations into the origin of the drugs remain ongoing, and we will work with our international and domestic law enforcement partners to identify the criminal syndicates and anyone else involved in facilitating this alleged attempted drug import.
"I would like to thank the exceptional work of our AFP investigators, together with our QPS and law enforcement counterparts, who have together prevented a significant amount of illicit drugs from reaching our community.
"Let these arrests serve as a warning to those criminal syndicates plotting attempts to bring illicit substances into our country, we stand together ready to act and disrupt your criminal activities, together with our law enforcement partners."
Queensland Police Service, Crime Command Detective Acting Chief Superintendent, Troy Pukallus said the operation demonstrated the Queensland Police Service's ability to identify and disrupt organised criminal activity at every level, from regional investigations through to complex national operations.
"This result highlights the strength of the Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce and the importance of strong partnerships between frontline police, specialist investigators and our Commonwealth law enforcement partners," Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Pukallus said.
"This outcome has removed a significant quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine from the criminal market and prevented these dangerous drugs from causing further harm in Queensland and more broadly across Australia.
"What began with the actions of Mackay police and the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch following the discovery of drugs at Midge Point evolved into a sophisticated, multi-agency investigation targeting an organised criminal network.
"Investigations of this scale require experience, persistence and collaboration, and I want to acknowledge the dedication of all officers involved in bringing this matter before the courts and protecting the community from the harm these drugs can cause."
Australian Border Force Commander Troy Sokoloff said the outcome demonstrated the strength of the QJOCTF in targeting serious organised crime through a coordinated, intelligence-led approach.
"Criminal syndicates should be on notice - law enforcement agencies are working together to detect, target and disrupt their operations, and those involved can expect to face the consequences," Commander Sokoloff said.
"The ABF remains committed to protecting Australia's border and supporting efforts to combat organised crime wherever it operates."
