The war on drugs just got a new price tag. In a coordinated sting involving British intelligence and Australian Federal Police, authorities have uncovered a subterranean fortress near Sydney containing more than two tonnes of cocaine. The street value?
Approximately £400 million. This is not just a win for law enforcement; it is a stark reminder of the scale of the illicit market and the inefficiency of prohibition. From a fiscal standpoint, the funds wasted by consumers could have boosted GDP if channelled into taxable goods.
Instead, they vanish into the black economy. The seizure, hailed as the largest in Australian history, exposes the relentless demand that drives these operations. Until policymakers address the economic incentives, the drug trade will continue to yield massive profits, and governments will continue to spend millions on interdiction.
The bottom line: this haul is a drop in a very large ocean.
