Six men from New South Wales, Australia, are facing charges related to an attempt to import 120 kg of cocaine from the US. The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force initiated an investigation after intercepting a consignment from California containing four vehicle transmissions. The transmissions were found to conceal 120 kg of cocaine valued at 39 million Australian dollars.
In a subsequent operation, authorities executed search warrants at four properties in NSW. At one location in Kingsdale, a clandestine laboratory capable of producing commercial quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine was uncovered. Additional arrests were made, and a total of 44 kg of cocaine and 2 kg of methamphetamine were seized. The men arrested face charges including trafficking in commercial quantities of drugs, with potential life imprisonment as the maximum penalty.
Earlier, Australian authorities seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine from a property in Londonderry, northwest of Sydney. The significant haul, valued at 816 million Australian dollars, was concealed in plastic crates buried in underground bunkers. Two individuals were arrested in connection with this seizure, with charges carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Investigations suggest a link between this case and a previous discovery of 40 kg of cocaine near a boat ramp.
Authorities believe the seized cocaine was part of a larger importation operation orchestrated by an organized crime group. The alleged mothership involved in the drug trafficking has been detained in the Solomon Islands for further investigation.
