Australia seizes record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in Sydney warehouse

SYDNEY — Australian federal police announced on Monday the seizure of 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in shipping containers at a warehouse in Sydney’s western suburbs, the largest single drug haul in the country’s history. The operation, conducted over the weekend, uncovered the narcotics concealed beneath false flooring in a storage facility near the port of Sydney. Two individuals were taken into custody, authorities confirmed.

The cocaine, with an estimated street value of A$900 million (€572 million), was discovered during a targeted inspection of containers arriving from South America. Investigators believe the shipment originated in Colombia and was destined for distribution networks across Australia and New Zealand. “This is a record-breaking seizure that will significantly disrupt organised crime operations,” said Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw in a statement issued on Monday. The AFP has launched a joint investigation with border security agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, to trace the supply chain and identify further suspects.

The discovery follows a pattern of increasingly sophisticated drug smuggling methods, with traffickers exploiting global trade routes to move large quantities of narcotics. In a separate operation on the same day, Brazilian authorities seized a suspected cocaine shipment concealed in timber cargo bound for Europe, highlighting the transnational nature of the trade.

The Sydney warehouse where the cocaine was found is located in the suburb of Guildford, an industrial zone with direct access to major transport corridors. Police sources described the concealment method as “highly professional,” involving reinforced false floors capable of bearing heavy loads to avoid detection during routine inspections. The AFP has not disclosed whether the two arrested individuals are Australian nationals or foreign operatives.

Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, condemned the shipment as a “direct threat to community safety” and vowed to strengthen border security measures. “We are dealing with criminal enterprises that operate across continents, and our response must be equally global,” she said in a press briefing on Monday. The government is expected to announce additional funding for drug detection technology and intelligence-sharing with regional partners.

The haul surpasses the previous national record of 1.2 tonnes seized in Melbourne in 2023, according to data from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Experts warn that the sheer volume of cocaine intercepted suggests a significant increase in supply, likely driven by rising demand in the Asia-Pacific region. The AFP has urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to drug trafficking, as investigations continue.