New Zealand authorities said on Wednesday they had recovered 3.2 tonnes of cocaine worth more than $300 million, believed to be bound for Australia and found floating at sea.
New Zealand Police said in a statement it had collected the drugs from the Pacific Ocean in a joint operation with the New Zealand Customs Service and the New Zealand Defence Force.
A police photo showed the haul, apparently before recovery, in a net supported on the ocean surface by floats.
No arrests have yet been made.
"This is one of the single biggest seizures of illegal drugs by authorities in this country," Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said in a statement.
"While this disrupts the syndicate's operations, we remain vigilant given the lengths we know these groups will go to circumvent coming to law enforcement's attention."
The seizure has a value of NZ$500 million ($320 million), according to New Zealand Customs Service Acting Controller Bill Perry.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
"Assassination Attempt Has Sealed The Election. Is Almost Over": Trump's Close Aide
Top OTT Releases This Week: Sharmajee Ki Beti, The Bear Season 3, Aavesham, and More Cocaine Worth Rs 21 Crore Found In Woman's Bags, Footwear At Chennai Airport Cameroon Man Who Ingested 73 Cocaine Capsules Arrested At Delhi Airport Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Joe Biden Tests Positive For Covid As Age Worries Mount At UN, India Calls For Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza, Release Of Hostages West Bengal BJP Leaders Seek Demand Accountability Amid Electoral Setback All About Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Who Died After Falling Off A Waterfall Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.