Dutch police have found almost three-quarters of a ton of heroin in a consignment of raisins from Iran, the public prosecution department has confirmed.

The drug is valued at around €17m and was found by customs officials in Rotterdam port a week ago.

The container with the drug was tracked to the village of Hagestein east of Rotterdam, where two men aged 69 and 33 were arrested as they unloaded the cargo. The heroin was hidden in 771 packets among the raisins.

The 69-year-old was remanded in custody for two weeks on Monday; the 33-year-old was released.