🔥 Drug Bust After Car Fire Shuts M5 Tunnel Near Kogarah

A car fire in the M5 Tunnel near Wolli Creek led to significant traffic disruptions and an unexpected drug discovery on Wednesday, affecting commuters travelling through and from areas like Kogarah.

Emergency services were called to the eastbound lanes of the M5 Tunnel around 6:20 AM after reports of a silver Audi sedan on fire. Witnesses observed smoke emanating from the engine, but the vehicle was reportedly driven another 100 metres before coming to a halt in lane one.

The two occupants of the vehicle, a male and a female, were seen leaving the car and walking east inside the tunnel towards the Grand Parade exit. They have not yet been located by police.

Fire and Rescue NSW quickly brought the blaze under control, which activated the tunnel's sprinkler system and contained the damage to the vehicle's engine bay. However, a subsequent police inspection of the Audi revealed quantities of methamphetamine and cannabis inside the vehicle. The car and the illicit drugs have since been seized for further forensic examination.

The incident caused extensive closures, with all eastbound lanes and one westbound lane of the M5 Tunnel temporarily shut down. This resulted in significant traffic delays across the region, impacting morning travel for many Kogarah residents. All lanes were reopened by 7:50 AM, but the search for the two individuals continues. There were no reported injuries from the fire.