Four men have been arrested and charged following the discovery of what police have alleged is a largescale clandestine drug lab near Goulburn.
They were just among six men charged as part of an Australian Federal Police investigation into the alleged importation of 120 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside vehicle transmissions shipped from the United States.
AFP officers raided a Kingsdale property on Thursday, June 18, after securing a search warrant. Over five days, assisted by Hume police and NSW Police Force chemical operations, they assessed the laboratory as being used to manufacture commercial quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, an AFP spokesperson said.
"During the search, police located and seized 44 kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of methamphetamine," the spokesperson said.
Four men, aged 35, 41, 45 and 49, were arrested at the Kingsdale property. It's understood the men had been living there for several months but were not originally from the area.
Police said they were subsequently charged with:
The four men appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Friday, June 19. The matter was adjourned to the Downing Centre Local Court on August 18, 2026.
The AFP said investigations began in December 2025, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a consignment containing four vehicle transmissions shipped from California.
During examination, ABF officers partially dismantled the heavy machinery components and allegedly located 120 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the transmissions, equating to 600,000 individual street deals, with an estimated street value of $39 million.
Following further inquiries, AFP investigators executed search warrants at properties in Kingsdale, Goulburn, Mortdale and Stanmore on June 18.
At the Mortdale property, police seized multiple mobile phones, $41,400 in cash, peptides, prescription medication, testosterone, and a quantity of white powder in a small resealable clip-seal bag suspected to contain cocaine.
A 56-year-old Mortdale man was charged with one count each of failing to comply with a requirement to provide information under the Commonwealth Crimes Act, and dealing with property reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
The Mortdale man was refused bail when he appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on June 19. He is expected to appear before the same court on August 18.
At the Stanmore property, AFP investigators seized a mobile phone, small quantities of substances suspected to be illicit drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
A Stanmore man, 52, was charged with one count of supplying an indictable quantity of methylamphetamine.
He was granted bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on July 28
Police said investigations were ongoing, with further charges expected.
AFP Detective acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led investigations and strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies in disrupting organised crime.
"This investigation began with the detection of cocaine concealed in vehicle transmissions at the Australian border and ultimately led investigators to an alleged commercial-scale drug manufacturing operation in NSW," Det a/Supt Robinson said.
"Organised crime groups are driven by profit and have no regard for the significant harm illicit drugs cause to Australian communities.
"...The seizure of 120 kilograms of cocaine and the disruption of an alleged clandestine laboratory have dealt a significant blow to the criminal syndicate allegedly involved and prevented further harm to the community."
