Spanish authorities have discovered nearly nine tonnes of cocaine on board a Schulte-managed boxship.

The 2,602-teu Lucie Schulte (built 2006) was searched in Algeciras on 22 April, local media said.

The cocaine was found hidden in a container that had been loaded in Turbo, Colombia.

It also contained 10,000 boxes of bananas.

Spanish police have arrested three people from a Malaga import company, while three more suspects were held in France.