Drugs 'sub' seized off Costa Rica

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An anti-drug operation has intercepted a Colombian vessel off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica carrying more than three tonnes of cocaine.

The cocaine, with a street value of at more than $90m (£47.5m), was found in a makeshift submarine which could only submerge 2m (6ft) under water.

It had apparently travelled from Colombia and was destined for the US.

At least three people were arrested in the joint operation by Costa Rican, US and Colombian authorities.

The submarine appeared to be unlike military submarines or those used by oceanographers, Costa Rican Coast Guard spokesman Jose Antonio Fallas told Reuters news agency.

It was taken to the Costa Rican port of Puntarenas after being seized near the remote Coco Islands, south-west of the mainland.

The 14m (45ft) vessel is believed to be the first submarine carrying illegal drugs to be seized off the Costa Rican coast.

Those arrested were taken to the US, where they will be prosecuted.