[NYPOST] More than 3 tons of cocaine was found bobbing in the Pacific Ocean after the drugs were dropped there by an international drug-trafficking ring, New Zealand police said.New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the wholesale value of the drugs was about 500 million New Zealand dollars, which is the equivalent of $316 million, and it was likely destined for Australia.
"We believe there was enough cocaine to service the Australian market for about one year, and this would be more than New Zealand would use in 30 years," he said.
Although they have made no arrests yet, police said they had dealt a financial blow to everyone from the South American producers of the cocaine to the distributors in what was New Zealand’s largest-ever drug bust.
The 3.5 tons of cocaine had been dropped at a floating transit point in 81 bales before it was intercepted by the royal navy ship HMNZS Manawanui.