$48 million in cocaine found washed up on Japanese beach

Unusual cargo washed up on the shores of a Japanese beach this week: $48 million worth of cocaine.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph reported an elderly resident in the city of Yokosuka stumbled across the drugs, which were stored inside four backpacks taped together with lit-up markers and a buoy. The local contacted police, who arrived to investigate. Kotaku cites the heap of cocaine — about 80 kg worth — as the largest drug seizure in the country's history, by value.

Someone on a boat off shore has a palm to his forehead right now; the Daily Telegraph reported authorities suspect traffickers travelling by sea must have lost the drugs on their journey.

[ Related: Canadian woman busted for trying to smuggle drugs in fake pregnancy belly ]

Japan and much of Asia are typically thought to be areas with fairly low drug use, but some sources, including the World Drug Report, indicate certain drugs are becoming more prevalent.

This isn't the first haul of illegal substances to float right under police noses; a boat filled with about 11 bails of marijuana washed ashore in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. in September, making headlines because it was mysteriously absent of passengers.

In May, two men in California were arrested after police found their boat, which contained almost a ton worth of marijuana and other drugs, according to ABC News. They reportedly tried to hide in the bushes before they were caught.