New Zealand authorities have recovered 3.2 tonnes of cocaine worth $NZ500 million ($450 million) from the Pacific Ocean, which they believe was bound for Australia.
New Zealand Police said in a statement it collected the drugs from the Pacific Ocean in a joint operation with the New Zealand Customs Service and the New Zealand Defence Force.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the significance and impact of recovering the drugs could not be underestimated.
"This is one of the single biggest seizures of illegal drugs by authorities in this country," he said.
“There is no doubt this discovery lands a major financial blow right from the South American producers through to the distributors of this product."
Commissioner Coster said given the large size of the shipment it would have likely been destined for the Australian market.
"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," he said.
No arrests have been made, but Mr Coster said police were making enquiries that included liaising with international partners.
New Zealand Customs Service acting comptroller Bill Perry said the discovery showed the region was not exempt from "major organised criminal drug smuggling efforts".
Reuters / ABC
