© APTN

A submarine which was apparently intended for use in drug trafficking has been seized by the Colombian navy.

It was spotted near the port of Buenaventura which is Colombia's main harbour in the Pacific Ocean.

The so-called "narco-sub" is about 5.3 metres long and 45 centimetres wide and has the capacity to carry five tonnes of cocaine or other drugs.

It is not clear whether any substances were discovered inside the vessel.

Such semi-submersible vessels have become increasingly common among drug cartels in recent years, as they are hard to detect both from the air and on radar.

Gangs who fear they are in danger of being captured often sink their submarines deliberately in a bid to avoid detection