Greater than 3.5 tons of cocaine have been discovered floating within the Pacific Ocean final week, New Zealand police confirmed on Wednesday. The haul marks the nation’s largest drug seizure ever.

The cocaine, packaged in 81 plastic-wrapped bales lined with nets geared up with flotation gadgets, was positioned in a joint operation involving New Zealand Police, Customs Service, and a protection power known as Operation Hydros that was launched in December to observe “suspicious vessels’ actions,” based on an announcement from the police. The Royal Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui picked up the haul and introduced it again to Auckland, the place it is because of be destroyed.

Value about 500 million New Zealand {dollars} ($316 million) wholesale, the cocaine would have equipped the Australian marketplace for a complete yr – and the New Zealand marketplace for 30, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster claimed.

Whereas the tactic of packaging and supply was common for the area, based on Greg Williams, head of the police power’s organized crime group, the quantity of cocaine was about 4 instances as massive because the haul that beforehand held the report.

No arrests have been made, nor have police pointed to any suspects. The drop location is believed by police to be a “transit level” for worldwide drug smugglers.

Authorities credited Operation Hydros with the discover, stressing the necessity for legislation enforcement to work with different authorities departments. “We see maybe that is simply a sign that the transnational organized crime teams are testing the market in numerous methods, in order companies, we have to collaborate,” performing comptroller of the Customs Service Invoice Perry mentioned.

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