Police in Brazil put the scales of justice in action when they found a package of cocaine stuffed into a fish by drug traffickers.

The Amazonian gang had first gutted theTambaqui fish before sealing the parcels of drugs inside.

Police in Tonantins, in the state of Amazonas, intercepted the cargo of frozen fish during a routine inspection of a tourist pleasure boat.

The Federal Police said in a statement on Tuesday, October 3, that they had seized about 2.5 kilogrammes (5.5 lbs) of cocaine that had been hidden inside the fish, which had been frozen, on September 25.

The fish were found in the boat's galley freezer and were intended to be passed on at a fish market, according to local media.

The police said: 'The Federal Police seized approximately 2.5 kilogrammes of a substance similar to cocaine base paste during routine inspections on boats near the city of Tonantins.

'The drugs were divided into tablets covered with plastic wrapping and hidden inside frozen fish, stored in the refrigerator of a recreational boat.

'Witnesses reported that the fish were left on the boat by motorcycle taxi drivers and were intended to be retrieved by drug traffickers during the Pirarucu Managed Fish Fair.

'The police investigation is ongoing to determine the origin of the drugs. It's worth noting that drug trafficking carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.'

Local media reported that no arrests had been made in connection with the drugs so far.

Freshwater Tambaqui fish are a popular dish all over the Amazon region. The often-farmed species can weigh in at up to 32 kilos (71 lbs).