The discovery of a semi-submersible vessel carrying cocaine in the Pacific was part of a global six-week operation against drug smugglers. View on euronews

Three “narco-submarines” ferrying cocaine to Australia have been intercepted in a global drug bust that has exposed the stunning new smuggling trick used by South American cartels.

Smuggling cocaine from South America to Australia is particularly lucrative, as a kilogramme of the illegal drug can fetch up to $240,000 (£190,000) there - six times more than in the US, Colombian security forces said.

Altogether, the subs contained more than 1,400 tons of illicit drugs, including 225 tons of cocaine and 128 tons of marijuana, CBS News reports. “This is perhaps the largest seizure of cocaine in transit made by Colombia in history,

The Colombian Navy announced it intercepted six “narco subs” containing more than $8 billion worth of drugs in an international mission involving 62 nations, of which the United States was included, that was conducted over a six-week span.

The Colombian navy has intercepted a semi-submersible vessel packed full of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean. The navy said it had enough fuel to sail to Australia and maps indicated that is where it was headed.

Columbian authorities have cracked down on drug mule pirates who are transporting Class A substances to Australia – their biggest and most lucrative cocaine consumers