Authorities seized more than 3,200 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $77 million inside a shipping container that arrived at Port Newark last month - the biggest bust there in nearly 25 years, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said in a statement Monday.

The massive bust on Feb. 28 came after authorities checked a shipping container entering the country and finding 60 packages containing a white powdery substance that proved to be cocaine, authorities said.

Customs officers turned the cocaine over to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, officials said.

The New York Police Department, New York State Police, the U. S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration also took part in the investigation. Customs officials also acknowledged the help of the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

“This is a significant seizure, in fact it is the largest cocaine seizure at the Port of New York/Newark since May 1994” said Troy Miller, the director of New York Field Operations for Customs and Border Protection. “This interception prevents a massive quantity of drugs from getting to the streets and in the hands of our children.”

No charges or arrests were announced as the investigation is ongoing, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Anthony Bucci said in an email. The container was recovered from a ship that originated in South America.

The largest bust at Port Newark in May 1994 resulted in 6,400 pounds of cocaine being seized.

Authorities seized 3,200 lbs. of cocaine worth an estimated $77M at Port Newark. It's the largest cocaine bust in 25 years. (Department of Homeland Security)

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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