The drugs were allegedly abandoned with the intention of later retrieving them, according to Italian police. Image: EPA
One of the largest seizures of illegal drugs in Italy occurred off the coast of Sicily, where approximately two tonnes (2,000kg) of cocaine were discovered floating, according to authorities.
A total of approximately 1,600 drug bricks were discovered bundled in about 70 waterproof packages that were fastened together using fishing nets and had a tracking device attached to them.
The police estimated that the street value of the seized drugs was in excess of €400m ($440m).
Law enforcement officials suspect that the narcotics were jettisoned into the ocean by a cargo vessel with the intention of retrieving them at a later time.
According to the authorities, a navy reconnaissance aircraft detected the packages during a surveillance operation.
