Nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine, estimated to be worth €225 million (approximately US$261.45 million), has been seized by French customs authorities from a consignment of plastic waste that originated from Ghana and arrived at Dunkirk in northern France.

The seizure was carried out on Thursday at the northern port of Dunkrik on Thursday, September 10.

The drugs were hidden in a container that was reportedly en route to Antwerp, Belgium, in part.

Authorities in France say the interception came after judicial police targeted a criminal syndicate believed to be behind the consignment.

While the confiscated cocaine has been destroyed, an investigation has been launched by prosecutors to trace the shipment and identify the criminal network behind it.