( CNN ) -- A fully functional submarine built for the primary purpose of transporting massive amounts of cocaine has been seized by Ecuadorean authorities with the help of U.S. drug enforcement agents . A drug-trafficking organization built the sea-worthy vessel that is now being held near the border of Ecuador and Colombia , and one individual has been taken into custody , authorities said . The investigation into the group and the submarine , which was seized Friday , is ongoing . `` This is the first seizure of a clandestinely constructed fully operational submarine built to facilitate trans-oceanic drug trafficking , '' the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement . The vessel utilized twin screws and was diesel electric-powered , the agency said . It was about 30 meters ( 98 feet ) long and nearly 3 meters ( nine feet ) high from the deck plates to the ceiling . It has a periscope and an air-conditioning system . `` Traffickers historically employed slow-moving fishing boats , sail boats , pleasure craft go-fasts , '' said Jay Bergman , Andean regional director for the agency . `` The advent of the narco-submarine presents new detection challenges for maritime interdiction forces . The submarine 's nautical range , payload capacity and quantum leap in stealth have raised the stakes for the counter-drug forces and the national security community alike . '' The submarine was constructed in a `` remote jungle environment in an effort to elude law enforcement or military interdiction , '' the agency said . Acting on intelligence , Ecuadorean authorities were able to seize the vessel for before its maiden voyage , the statement said . CNN 's Carol Cratty contributed to this report .
Submarine being held near Ecuador-Colombia border . Authorities : Vessel was built to `` facilitate trans-oceanic drug trafficking '' and is now used for smuggling cocaine into the United States from South America. Agents seized sub before its maiden voyage .