Monrovia — A French naval gunboat Thursday night brought to shore a ship flying the Liberian flag carrying about 90 barrels of cocaine.

The ship - the Blue Atlantic - was headed for a port in West Africa when it encountered technical problems just 550 nautical miles from Liberia's territorial waters, said Jacques Girard, the French ambassador. The ship was headed to Lagos port or a port in Ghana.

The French Navy is reported to have intercepted communications from the ship. Its crew comprised nine people, including Ghanaian nationals.

The cocaine has been turned over to the Liberian authorities.

Justice Minister Phillip Banks told reporters that he contacted the Liberian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for advice on how to dispose of the drugs. They are worth millions of dollars.

The head of security at the port in Monrovia, Ashford Peal, said the cocaine would have "destroyed the country had it made its way to the market."

The government began incinerating the drugs on Friday, despite warnings from the EPA over the health risks, according to reports.