Authorities have seized another big haul of cocaine from a remote island in Fiji, with help from the New Zealand Defence Force.
Forty kilogrammes of cocaine were found earlier this month on the same island.
The defence force said more than 12 kilogrammes of the drug was found on the island in the Lau group last week.
Crew members from Royal New Zealand Navy inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo and personnel from Fiji Revenue and Customs Service wade towards the remote island where over 12 kgs of cocaine were found last week. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
A New Zealand navy ship is helping Fiji patrol its waters and it moved in after a request from Fiji's customs agency.
An earlier 40 kilogramme cocaine haul is estimated to be worth about $US15 million.
An Australian couple have also appeared in court for smuggling 15 kilograms of cocaine and $US10 to 15 million worth of ecstasy into Fiji.
The New Zealand Defence Force has assisted Fiji authorities in recovering over 12 kgs of cocaine that were found on a remote island last week. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
Experts say the seizures will prompt crime syndicates to redirect drug supply routes through other countries in the Pacific.
The defence force began combined maritime patrols with Fiji in June in a bid to crackdown on fishery and border protection.