Authorities have uncovered nearly three tonnes of cocaine concealed in bunkers in Sydney, marking one of the largest drug seizures in recent Australian history. The haul, intercepted last week at a property in Londonderry, New South Wales, is linked to an elaborate international smuggling operation involving a cargo ship and multiple smaller vessels.

The cocaine reportedly originated on the MV Wealth, a cargo vessel registered in Belize, which was detained by authorities in the Solomon Islands over the weekend. While the ship’s crew remain in custody, two smaller tenders previously seen moored alongside the vessel in the Solomon Islands remain unaccounted for. Pacific law enforcement agencies are investigating whether these tenders were used to distribute drugs to other nations in the region, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

The drugs were initially offloaded from the MV Wealth off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef near Northern Queensland. They were then transferred to two smaller boats, which transported the cargo ashore before it was loaded into a truck and driven nearly 20 hours to Sydney. Officials say this method highlights the sophistication and determination of criminal syndicates seeking to exploit Australia’s lucrative cocaine market.

At the Londonderry site, police arrested two men—Andrew Whata Fepulaei, 21, from Plumpton, and Kristian Faiumu, 25, from Liverpool—both charged with possession of a commercial quantity of drugs. The charges carry potential life sentences. Faiumu, who suffers from a brain injury sustained in a car accident, was denied bail, while Fepulaei did not apply for bail. Both men remain in custody pending further court appearances scheduled for August 13.

This seizure follows a series of significant cocaine interceptions in Australia as authorities intensify efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs. In May, law enforcement agents recovered 1.1 tonnes of cocaine from a mother ship off Nambucca Heads in New South Wales, preventing it from reaching domestic markets. A separate operation in December 2024 resulted in the discovery of 2.34 tonnes of cocaine destined for distribution.

Queensland Police Chief Superintendent Troy Pukallus described the investigation as a “major blow” to drug syndicates, noting that the breakthrough began following an unrelated call to a fire at Mackay. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration and ongoing partnerships with international law enforcement in tracking and dismantling these networks.

Commander Jay echoed these sentiments, underscoring the complexities of the case and the significant efforts made to trace the origins of the drugs and identify all individuals involved in the smuggling operation. Investigations remain active as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the criminal enterprise responsible for the record-breaking cocaine importation.