'Our largest drug seizure ever': ACT police seize $144m of cocaine

Australian authorities have found 384kg of cocaine with a street value of about $144 million concealed within an excavator.

ACT police seized about 384kg of cocaine in Bungendore yesterday and have arrested two men.

ACT police seized about 384kg of cocaine in Bungendore yesterday and have arrested two men. Source: Supplied

Two men will remain behind bars, charged with importation offences, after 384kg of cocaine was found hidden in an excavator.

It is the biggest drug interception co-ordinated by ACT police.

The men were charged after a joint operation - involving NSW, federal and ACT officers along with those from Australian Border Force.

A statement from the law enforcement agencies on Monday said two Queanbeyan men aged 33 and 34 were arrested at a Bungendore business on Sunday.

About 384 kilograms of cocaine were found hidden in an excavator in Australia's capital.
About 384 kilograms of cocaine were found hidden in an excavator in Australia's capital. Source: ACT Policing


It followed a controlled delivery of the excavator which was intercepted by ABF in June and inspected, the statement said.

It's alleged the second-hand machine from South Africa concealed about 384kg of cocaine with a street value of about $144 million.



Adam Phillip Hunter and Timothy John Engstrom faced Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug and attempting to possess a border-controlled drug.

They remain in custody with bail not applied for and formally refused.



A brief is to be served to Queanbeyan Local Court for Hunter's matters by 9 September.

Engstrom is due to come before the court on the same date.


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