-from wvec.com-

By Dottie Wikan

A $57 million cocaine bust on the high seas was the highlight of a Portsmouth cutter’s 66-day deployment.

The 270-foot Bear is due home Wednesday night from patrol duty in the Caribbean Sea.

The more than 1,800 pounds of cocaine was found below concrete in the fish hold of a vessel in late December. It was discovered during a 16-hour boarding.

The contraband was turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement division.

The Bear is one of six 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutters based in Portsmouth.