The Colombian navy intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying cocaine in the Pacific Ocean, marking the third such seizure in the region.

The vessel, believed to be heading to Australia, had enough fuel for the journey, part of a new smuggling route.

Cocaine trafficking to Australia is highly profitable, with a kilogram fetching up to $240,000 there, six times more than in the U.S.

The operation, part of the multinational “Orion” mission, led to the seizure of 225 tonnes of cocaine and over 400 arrests, the BBC has reported.

Colombian authorities have uncovered links between South American and Oceanic drug gangs.

Written by B.C. Begley