The Queensland Joint Organized Crime Taskforce announced the discovery on Monday. Investigators found the drugs on June 19 at a semirural property in Londonderry, a suburb on Sydney’s western outskirts.

Police uncovered the cocaine inside plastic tubs buried in underground bunkers. The bunkers sat beneath three shipping containers fitted with false floors. According to authorities, traffickers used the concealed compartments to hide the drugs from detection.

Officials estimate the cocaine had a street value of 816 million Australian dollars (US$572 million).

Meanwhile, police arrested two Sydney men, aged 21 and 25, at the property. Authorities charged both men with possessing a commercial quantity of an illicit drug. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.

Record Haul Surpasses Previous Seizure

The latest operation broke Australia’s previous cocaine seizure record.

In 2024, authorities intercepted 2.34 metric tons of cocaine from a fishing vessel near K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, off the Queensland coast.

However, investigators say the new seizure involved an even larger shipment.

According to police, the cocaine landed by boat at Midge Point in tropical Queensland. Authorities allege that a Sydney-based organized crime group then transported the drugs about 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) by road to Sydney.

Authorities Investigate International Links

Police believe the shipment may connect to an earlier Queensland drug investigation.

That case led officers to seize 178 kilograms of cocaine and 142 kilograms of methamphetamine. As a result, authorities charged six people.

Additionally, investigators suspect both shipments came from the same mother ship. Police identified the vessel as the MV Wealth, a Belize-flagged cargo ship.

Authorities in the Solomon Islands have already seized the vessel on suspicion of involvement in transnational organized crime activities. The island nation lies roughly 2,000 kilometers northeast of Queensland.

However, officials have not released further details about the vessel’s alleged role. The investigation remains ongoing.

Queensland Coastline Faces Growing Pressure

Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay said criminal organizations increasingly target Queensland’s coastline for drug smuggling operations.

Queensland has about 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) of coastline. Because of its size, law enforcement agencies face significant challenges monitoring remote coastal areas.

Therefore, authorities continue to increase efforts to disrupt maritime trafficking routes.

Australia’s Drug Market Remains Attractive

Officials say Australia remains a highly profitable destination for cocaine traffickers.

Australians pay some of the highest prices in the world for cocaine. As a result, criminal networks continue to view the country as an attractive market.

While authorities celebrate the record seizure, investigators continue to examine the wider trafficking network. Police have not ruled out additional arrests as the investigation progresses.

Tags: Australia, Cocaine Seizure, Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime, Australian Federal Police, Queensland, Sydney, Solomon Islands

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Australia is experiencing an alarming surge in antisemitic attacks, with authorities investigating potential links to paid criminals behind some of the incidents. The rise in hate crimes has sparked widespread anxiety within the Jewish community, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, as Jewish institutions face arson, vandalism, and targeted violence.

The Devastating Arson Attack on a Jewish Café

One of the most distressing incidents occurred in late October when arsonists set fire to the Continental Kitchen, a beloved kosher café in Sydney, owned by restaurateur Judith Lewis. The attack, which destroyed the café, also damaged a mezuzah – a sacred symbol of Jewish faith – that had hung at the family-owned establishment for decades. While the mezuzah was destroyed in the blaze, Lewis has bought new ones but remains hesitant to put them up in her new café location.

“I’ve got them sitting on my desk, and I’m a little bit hesitant to put them up… something’s holding me back at the moment,” Lewis shared.

Escalating Antisemitic Incidents Across Australia

The arson at Lewis’ café is part of a larger pattern of antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish Australians, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. The attacks have included swastikas painted on buildings and cars, as well as arson at synagogues. Authorities have received over 166 reports of such incidents since mid-December, prompting the creation of Special Operation Avalite to address the rising hate crimes.

A total of 15 serious allegations are currently under investigation. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has confirmed that authorities are exploring the possibility that these attacks may be connected to paid criminals, with a focus on potential overseas actors who may have financed the attacks.

Criminals or Overseas Actors Behind the Attacks?

Police investigations have uncovered text messages suggesting that some suspects were paid to carry out these acts. In one case, text exchanges between two men who pleaded guilty to a recent arson attack revealed a third person involved, using the encrypted app Signal under the alias “Jamesbond.” The suspects seemed to have been directed to specific targets, though one later indicated confusion about the location.

The men, some of whom have links to Sydney’s eastern suburbs, have been charged under Strike Force Pearl, a task force set up to investigate these crimes. Some of the suspects claim they were coerced into committing the attacks due to financial debts or threats of violence.

While it remains unclear where the payments are coming from, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that authorities are looking into the involvement of international actors, though he did not provide further details.

Government Response and Political Tensions

Jewish leaders have expressed frustration over what they see as a slow response from government officials, particularly as the attacks have gained a political dimension. Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton criticized the government for its reaction to a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney following the Gaza war, which he believes contributed to rising antisemitism.

However, Albanese has defended his administration’s response, urging the need to unite the country and avoid exploiting the situation for political gain. He emphasized that law enforcement has already taken steps, including arrests, to address the issue.

In a joint statement, multi-faith and human rights organizations called for a collective effort to combat racism and hate crimes, urging political leaders not to politicize these tragedies.

Rising Security Measures and Community Support

In response to the wave of attacks, security has been increased around Jewish sites in Sydney, including synagogues, schools, and businesses. Premier Chris Minns condemned the violence, calling it “completely disgusting” and vowing that those responsible would be apprehended. However, some Jewish groups argue that more proactive measures are needed to address the root causes of rising hate.

Max Kaiser, the executive officer of Jewish Council Australia, stressed that policing alone won’t solve the broader issue of racism in Australia. He called for greater education and community efforts to foster unity across different faiths.

For Judith Lewis, the impact of the attack on her family’s café extends beyond the destruction of property. While grateful for the support from suppliers and community members who rallied to help reopen her business, she remains deeply disturbed by the attacks.

“They destroyed our thriving business of 55 years,” Lewis said. “But the support from the community has been fantastic. People wanted to help from the moment the fire happened.”

Looking Ahead: A Need for Change

As investigations continue and arrests are made, the Jewish community in Australia remains on edge. The broader issue of rising hate and racism, however, requires long-term efforts to address the underlying causes and foster a more inclusive society. Authorities are focused on both short-term actions to stop these crimes and long-term strategies to prevent such hate from spreading further.

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