A record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated street value of $816 million has been seized at a semi-rural property in Greater Western Sydney.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) made the discovery at Londonderry on Friday.
The drugs were hidden in underground bunkers concealed by false floors within three shipping containers near the rear of the property.
It is the largest ever cocaine seizure in Australia and would have equated to about three million street level deals.
The drugs were found in an underground bunker system. (Supplied: AFP)
Police will allege two men in their 20s attempted to evade police before they were arrested at the scene and charged with possessing a commercial quantity of drugs.
They appeared before a NSW Local Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody, with both due to front court again in August.
A number of people have been arrested over the alleged scheme. (Supplied: AFP)
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.
The seizure was part of a month-long joint investigation by AFP and Queensland Police, triggered when local officers responding to a truck fire at a Midge Point boat ramp spotted 40 kilograms of cocaine floating in water nearby.
Six people were arrested and charged as part of their alleged roles in the drug import enterprise.
A Petrie man, 32, charged with possessing a dangerous drug and dealing with proceeds of crime, was further charged on Friday with one count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
He is expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court next month.
The haul is worth an estimated $816 million. (Supplied: AFP)
A 32-year-old Petrie woman was also charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, and police allege she lived at a suspected safe house connected to the operation.
She is expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court next month.
A 24-year-old Green Valley man was charged and extradited to Queensland last week, and police will allege he travelled to Midge Point in May to help facilitate the collection and transportation of the drugs.
Vessel detained overseas
Police will allege a ship called MV Wealth was involved in the importation plot, with the vessel detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands for further investigation.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay praised the work of those involved in the multi-agency operation.
The multi-agency operation into the alleged scheme started in Queensland last month. (Supplied: AFP)
“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,” he said.
“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.“
Queensland Police Service Superintendent Troy Pukallus said the operation had removed a “significant quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine from the criminal market”.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
