Story perspectives

Australian Police Seize Record 2.7-Tonne Cocaine Worth $816M

6/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Australian Federal Police seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth about A$816 million, the largest seizure in Australia.
Two suspects, 21 and 25, were arrested after the drugs were found in underground bunkers on a Londonderry property.
Police say the cocaine was off-loaded near Midge Point from the Belize-flagged MV Wealth and then trucked 1,100 miles to Sydney.
Commander Stephen Jay said investigations continue and authorities will work with international partners to identify the syndicates.

History

Historical Context

In 1986 Operation Hunter by the U.S. Coast Guard seeded Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), which the Coast Guard, DEA and ICE expanded in 1987 into a joint maritime patrol. Australian Federal Police’s 2.7 tonne seizure aboard the Belize-flagged MV Wealth mirrors that legacy, underscoring the enduring need for international sea-patrol cooperation.

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Story summary

Australian Federal Police seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth about A$816 million, the largest seizure in Australia.
Two suspects, 21 and 25, were arrested after the drugs were found in underground bunkers on a Londonderry property.
Police say the cocaine was off-loaded near Midge Point from the Belize-flagged MV Wealth and then trucked 1,100 miles to Sydney.
Commander Stephen Jay said investigations continue and authorities will work with international partners to identify the syndicates.

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