Frigate Nicholas plays role in big drug bust

NORFOLK, Va. — A Virginia-based naval vessel helped recover more than a hundred bales of cocaine near Central America, the Navy said Friday.

The Navy said the guided-missile frigate Nicholas retrieved more than 4,900 pounds of cocaine on Monday after it was thrown overboard by speedboat that was targeted by the Colombian navy.

Nicholas is taking part in Operation Martillo, a multinational effort targeting drug trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus.

The cocaine is worth more than $60 million and has a street value worth $367 million, the Navy said.