Australian police seize record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine

Australian police seized a record 2.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in plastic tubs buried underground on the outskirts of Sydney, detectives said Monday. It was the largest cocaine haul in Australian history, a joint organised crime investigation force said in a statement.

Police allege a Sydney-based organised crime group arranged for a foreign vessel to offload the cocaine in northern Queensland before moving it to Sydney for distribution. Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay said Investigations into the origin of the drugs remain ongoing, and they will work with the international and domestic law enforcement partners to identify the criminal syndicates.