Some 453 kilos of drugs were found on board a containership at the Port of Santa Marta, Colombia, the country’s Office of the Attorney General said in a statement.

Cocaine hydrochloride, believed to be worth around USD 27 million, was discovered in 18 bundles hidden on board Hammonia Emden and destined for Europe.

The 2006-built boxship is owned by German shipping company Hammonia Reederei.

According to the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia, the cocaine may belong to Clan de Gulfo, a drug-trafficking paramilitary group.

The operation was conducted by the Colombian National Navy and the country’s anti-narcotics police.

World Maritime News contacted Hammonia Reederei for a comment, however, the company is yet to reply.