NT Police say they have thwarted a significant drug operation after a man was observed allegedly attempting to bury $1.5 million worth of cocaine in a barrel in Darwin bushland.
In a joint operation between Northern Territory and New South Wales detectives, two men have been charged with a string of offences, and more than three kilograms worth of cocaine has been seized.
NT Police said it also recovered six kilograms of cannabis and more than $250,000 in cash.
According to a statement, detectives said they had been monitoring the movements of the 41-year-old man since receiving a tip-off from their NSW counterparts in April.
"On Wednesday, police watched as he buried an empty drum in bushland near the Esplanade in Darwin city," police said in a statement.
"The 41-year-old returned to the location of the drum, where police allege he deposited the cocaine and $110,000.
"Detectives later retrieved the drum and subsequently arrested the man the following morning."
Following the man's arrest on Thursday, police said they raided a property in the rural Darwin suburb of Howard Springs, from where the cannabis and more cash was seized.
Another man, 42, was arrested at the scene.
The pair have been remanded in custody and are now facing a number of drug and drug supply charges, and are due to face court in Darwin on Monday, May 8.
Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan said the bust should "serve as a warning to all organised criminal networks – we are watching you".
"Criminal networks across the country operate without borders," he said.
"These criminals now need to understand that law enforcement agencies throughout the country … are now breaking down borders, sharing information and resources, and achieving great results.
"Long gone are the days where borders inhibited the ability for police to investigate crimes."
The arrests come just over a month since the NT Police announced it had conducted an operation targeting the Mongols bikie gang, which it claimed had "destroyed" the gang's leadership circle.
