Authorities in Colombia have found $27m worth of cocaine on a containership controlled by Germany's Hammonia Reederei.

The country's National Attorney General's office said the 453 kilogrammes of cocaine hydrochloride was found on the 2,560-teu Hammonia Emden (built 2006) while it was at the port of Santa Marta.

Authorities believe the cocaine belonged to the Clan del Golfo, a paramilitary group formerly known as Los Urabenos.

Colombia's port of Santa Marta

The drugs were hidden in a container on the Liberian-flag ship and were destined for the Netherlands, authorities said.

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