The massive haul of cocaine which washed up on an Auckland beach this week likely fell from a boat heading to Australia.

On Thursday, police revealed 19 packages of cocaine - which have a street value of approximately $3 million - were found washed up on Bethells Beach west of Auckland.

Police now say those bundles likely fell from a boat on its way to Australia.

In August 2018, Australian police intercepted a rigid inflatable boat off the northern New South Wales coast heading towards the mainland.

The two occupants were seen offloading the cocaine into the sea, and they were arrested.

The majority of the cocaine has been recovered, but the cocaine that washed up on Bethells Beach appears to have been part of the shipment, police say.

Detective Inspector Colin Parmenter said on Thursday it was possible more packages will turn up on the beach.

Anyone with information can call the Waitematā Crime Squad on (09) 839 0697 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Newshub.