Cocaine with an estimated street value of €684m has been found on an ocean-going tug in the North Sea.
The interception of MV Hamal is believed to be the UK's biggest-ever haul of the class A drug, with more than three tons recovered.
The boat was intercepted about 100 miles east of Aberdeen last Thursday by Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and Border Force cutter Valiant, the National Crime Agency revealed.
The tug and its nine-crew of Turkish nationals, aged between 26 and 63, were taken to Aberdeen harbour where a search by Border Force officers with "specialist deep rummage skills" discovered the hidden drugs.
John McGowan, senior investigating officer for the NCA, said: "The search of this vessel has been lengthy and painstaking, undertaken by hugely-skilled specialists working in difficult conditions.
"The result is this massive discovery - believed to be the biggest single class A drug seizure on record in the UK and likely to be worth several hundred million pounds.
"Our investigation continues but the operation was only possible thanks to the close co-operation between the NCA, Border Force, the Royal Navy, plus the French DNRED and our other international partners.
"The extensive operation in Aberdeen was given substantial support from Police Scotland."
The nine men have all been charged with drugs offences and have been remanded in custody. They will appear in court again next Tuesday.
