Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized almost 800 pounds of cocaine worth $9 million hidden inside a cargo vessel at the Miami River last month.

CBP Public Affairs announced in a press release Tuesday that officers from the port searched a 180-foot cargo vessel on February 27th and uncovered a compartment inside a ballast tank.

The compartment was concealed under a layer of concrete, and crews had to drill the compartment in order to discover the cocaine.

CBP officers accessed the space through the deck floor and recovered a total of 310 packages of contraband worth over $9 million.

Diane Sabatino, CBP Miami Seaport port director, praised the efforts of CBP, saying "Customs and Border Protection at the Port of Miami also works very closely with our law enforcement and security partners to disrupt and ultimately close off pathways through which narcotics are introduced into the United States."

“This is an outstanding example of the excellent work being performed by our officers in stemming the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States," said CBP Director of Field Operations Miami Vernon Foret. "I commend the effort and dedication demonstrated by our frontline officers in securing our borders,”