Sydney Airport bomb hoax: Montenegro man charged over Turkish Airlines threat
Synopsis
A Montenegro national allegedly triggered a bomb scare on a Turkish Airlines flight at Sydney Airport — only for the 'device' to turn out to be a wireless phone charger. Days later, AFP unveiled Australia's largest-ever cocaine bust: 2.7 tonnes hidden in underground bunkers 50 km from Sydney, with a street value of 816 million Australian dollars.
Key Takeaways
A 44-year-old man from Montenegro was arrested at Sydney Airport on Sunday, 22 June after allegedly claiming to have a bomb on a Turkish Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur .
The alleged 'device' was identified by the captain as a wireless phone charger ; no explosive was found.
The man faces one count of threatening aviation security, carrying a maximum fine of 10,500 Australian dollars .
In a separate operation, AFP seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine from Londonderry , 50 km northwest of Sydney — the largest such seizure in Australian history.
The cocaine had an estimated street value of 816 million Australian dollars and could have supplied around 3 million street-level deals .
Two men aged 21 and 25 were charged over the cocaine haul, each facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment .
A 44-year-old man from Montenegro has been charged with threatening aviation security after allegedly claiming to have a bomb aboard a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Kuala Lumpur from Sydney Airport on Sunday, 22 June. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed the arrest and charge on Tuesday, describing the incident as a serious disruption to aviation operations.
What Happened on Board
According to authorities, the alleged hoax unfolded while the aircraft was preparing for take-off. A crew member had questioned the man about electrical equipment he was carrying — which the captain later told police appeared to be a wireless phone charger — after which the man allegedly claimed to have a bomb.
The captain was immediately notified and ordered the aircraft to return to the gate. AFP officers then boarded the plane and removed the man from the flight. No explosive device was found.
Charges and Penalties
The man now faces one count of threatening aviation security. The offence carries a maximum penalty of a 10,500 Australian dollar (approximately 7,346 US dollars) fine. The AFP did not disclose the man's name or the specific flight number involved.
AFP Detective Superintendent Davina Copelin said such hoaxes carry real consequences beyond the immediate disruption. 'Hoaxes can cause significant disruptions, trigger emergency responses and divert resources away from serious threats,' she said.
Record Cocaine Bust Near Sydney
Separately, in what authorities are calling the largest cocaine seizure in Australian history, the AFP on Monday, 23 June announced the seizure of 2.7 tonnes of cocaine from a property in Londonderry, a suburb approximately 50 km northwest of central Sydney.
Investigators executing a search warrant on Friday discovered the cocaine concealed in plastic crates buried in underground bunkers hidden beneath false floors inside three shipping containers at the rear of the property. The haul carries an estimated street value of 816 million Australian dollars (approximately 571.3 million US dollars) and could reportedly have supplied around 3 million street-level deals.
Two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested in connection with the seizure and have each been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug — an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Broader Context
The twin incidents underscore the AFP's heightened operational tempo around Sydney in recent days. Aviation security hoaxes, while not new, place enormous strain on airport resources and emergency services. Notably, the bomb hoax comes at a time of elevated global awareness around aviation threats, making even unsubstantiated claims costly to manage.
The record cocaine seizure, meanwhile, points to the scale of transnational drug trafficking networks operating through Australia. Investigators have not yet publicly named the alleged source or the trafficking network involved. Further charges and arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
Point of View
The 2.7-tonne cocaine bust is not just a record seizure — the concealment method, with false container floors over underground bunkers, suggests a sophisticated, well-resourced trafficking operation that likely did not begin or end at Londonderry. Whether investigators can trace the supply chain upstream will determine whether this is a decisive blow or a single node taken offline.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Sydney Airport on 22 June?
A 44-year-old man from Montenegro was arrested at Sydney Airport after allegedly claiming to have a bomb on a Turkish Airlines flight preparing to depart for Kuala Lumpur. The aircraft returned to the gate, police removed the man, and no explosive device was found.
What charge does the Sydney Airport bomb hoax suspect face?
The man has been charged with one count of threatening aviation security, which carries a maximum penalty of a 10,500 Australian dollar fine under Australian law.
What was the device that triggered the bomb scare?
The captain told police the item in question appeared to be a wireless phone charger. A crew member had questioned the man about the electrical equipment before he allegedly made the bomb claim.
What is the significance of the Londonderry cocaine seizure?
The AFP's seizure of 2.7 tonnes of cocaine from a property in Londonderry, northwest of Sydney, is the largest cocaine bust in Australian history. The haul had an estimated street value of 816 million Australian dollars and was hidden in underground bunkers beneath false floors inside shipping containers.
Who was arrested over the cocaine seizure near Sydney?
Two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested and each charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
