Yacht

The two sailors were sailing to Europe from French Polynesia when they had mechanical problems that forced them to divert their course.

They are isolating on their yacht in a harbour zone set aside for quarantine, and awaiting the result of COVID-19 tests and clearance from authorities.

Both have been vaccinated at French Polynesia, which is the last place they visited and is COVID-19 free, The Daily Post said.

Photo file RNZ Pacific 

The boat was first searched on behest of the customs department after it docked on the atoll of Apataki and 340 kilogrammes of the drug was found.

It was then transferred to Tahiti where more concealed drugs were recovered, bringing the total haul to 436 kilogrammes.

The boat had sailed from Panama and was crewed by four men - three Italians and a Peruvian.

The four are being held in Papeete and are at risk of being jailed for 30 years and incurring fines of nearly $US10 million.