Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office confirmed on Thursday that it had seized a shipment of heroin worth roughly 50 million euros ($63 million) near the northwestern city of Essen.

The 330 kilograms (727 pounds) of the opioid drug were found in a truck that had been transporting pickled cucumbers and garlic from Iran.

Police have not confirmed whether the heroin originated from Iran.

Following the confiscation of the loot on September 22, German authorities arrested two brothers, aged 30 and 35, allegedly affiliated with an Iraqi-Syrian crime ring, which they believe was behind the drug smuggling.

A Dutch national living in Belgium has also been extradited to Germany in connection with the case.

The heroin found after the months-long investigation exceeded the total amount of heroin confiscated in Germany in 2013 alone, which was roughly 270 kilograms.

kms/mkg (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)