Police have intercepted 3.2 tonnes of cocaine adrift in the ocean in what is New Zealand’s largest drug bust.

Working alongside the Defence Force and Customs, police recovered 81 bales of cocaine drifting in the Pacific Ocean and have brought it back to shore to be destroyed.

The cocaine was found in nets with devices keeping it afloat for someone to come and collect it. Police would not comment on how the drugs came to their attention.

The bales were found six days sailing northeast of New Zealand in international waters, not a high-traffic area, and had not been in the water long before the package was found.

Police, Customs and NZDF seized 3.2 tonnes of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean as part of Operation Hydros in December 2022. Photo / Supplied

The drugs were placed aboard the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui, which arrived in Auckland early yesterday morning. The drugs were taken to a secure facility to be examined and incinerated.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said due to the shipment’s size, the drugs were likely destined for Australia.

The interception dealt a significant blow to South American producers right through to distributors, he said.

“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved here, and the impact this will have on organised crime.”

 “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,” Coster said.

As the drugs have not arrived in any country, it’s difficult for authorities to understand who is behind the shipment.

No arrests have been made in relation to the finding and inquiries were continuing, Coster said.

International partners, including the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group, are also involved.

Police, Customs and Defence Force intercepted 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific Ocean during Operation Hydros, which began in December 2022. Photo / Supplied

National Organised Crime Group director detective superintendent Greg Williams said New Zealand was not a cocaine market.

At the moment New Zealand consumes about 1.7kg of cocaine a week.

“We are tiny compared to Australia so there is no way 3.2 tonnes are coming here,” Williams said.

The bust is the equivalent of 30 years worth of cocaine supply in New Zealand and one year’s worth in Australia. It’s estimated it would cause $9b worth of social harm if it had been headed for New Zealand.

New Zealand Customs Service Acting Comptroller Bill Perry said the shipment was worth more than half a billion dollars.

“Customs is pleased to have helped prevent such a large amount of cocaine causing harm in communities here in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere in the wider Pacific region.

Constricted air and commercial movements due to Covid-19 could show drug syndicates are testing other routes, Perry said

“It is concerning that last year’s interceptions were in the vicinity of 800kg, and this well tops that.”

Police, Customs and Defence Force intercepted 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific Ocean during Operation Hydros, which began in December 2022. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand Defence Force Joint Forces commander Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said he was pleased to have been able to assist in the operation.

“We had the right people and the right capabilities to provide the support required and it was great to work alongside the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Customs Service.”

The operation, dubbed Operation Hydros, began in December 2022.

In March last year, police and customs made what was then Aotearoa’s largest-ever drug bust when they intercepted 613kg of methamphetamine arriving through Auckland Airport.

The drugs were worth $245 million and six people were arrested - including some with links to the Comancheros gang.

Police, Customs and Defence Force intercepted 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific Ocean during Operation Hydros, which began in December 2022. Photo / Supplied