Over three tonnes of cocaine have been discovered floating in the Pacific Ocean from a New Zealand army ship.
Authorities say the cocaine was dumped at sea by a drug-trafficking syndicate, with the final destination believed to be Australia.
The large amount of cocaine was wrapped in a net to which 81 balloons were tied so that it would not sink. It is believed that this scheme is used by some groups of traffickers, who deliberately throw the drug into the sea, to recover it later on the shore, thus avoiding control at customs.
All cocaine, about 3.5 tons, has a value of 316 million dollars and is one of the largest quantities discovered in this territory.
A police official said the amount of cocaine would be enough to supply Australia for 1 year, and if it was destined for New Zealand, it would take 30 years to fully consume it.