Drugs found near dead diver

Sydney: Australian police yesterday launched a probe after 50kg of suspected cocaine, estimated to be worth about $A20 million

($NZ22 million), was found near the body of a diver washed up on a riverbank in New South Wales.

A man wearing highend diving equipment was found unconscious near the Hunter River at Newcastle on Monday, New South Wales police said.

Despite treatment by paramedics, he died at the scene.

Several packages which contained a white powder believed to be cocaine were located nearby.