Authorities at a Pan-American Highway control point in Medellín, Colombia uncovered 3,810 kilograms (8,400 pounds) of marijuana yesterday, much of which had been hidden in a papaya shipment, website Eluniversal.com.co reported.

Rectangular packages were allegedly spotted by the narcotics division behind boxes of the fruit, which were unloaded to verify their contents.

In total, 24 packages of marijuana intended for local distribution were discovered, holding 227 packets that later tested positive for cannabis.

The total value of the shipment is estimated at COL$1.2 billion (US$681,550).

The narcotics division described the bust as a hard blow to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

In 2010, Colombia produced 263,178 tons (MT) of papaya according to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization statistics.

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