HE HAS been hailed as a hero in the small market town he calls home, after stopping more than £40 million worth of drugs from reaching US shores.

Royal Fleet Auxilliary skipper Nigel Budd, pictured inset, commanding officer of ship the Wave Knight, recently took part in a dramatic six-hour chase with drug dealers in the sea between Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Now the Romsey man’s proud family has praised the father of three, naming him their “local hero”.

A few weeks ago, the Wave Knight’s crew were alerted after a a patrol plane spotted a suspicious speedboat in the Caribbean Sea.

In a combined operation by the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and US Coast Guard, Captain Budd pursued the vessel, launching a Lynx helicopter as it closed in on the drug smugglers.

A Royal Marines sniper sitting in the back of the aircraft opened fire on the boat, shooting out its engines and forcing it to a halt.

However, the traffickers then disposed of cocaine worth an estimated £26 million by dumping it in the sea in an attempt to stop it being seized, but the naval crew were still able to recover the rest of the shipment, with a street value of £14 million.

The speedboat’s five-man crew were taken aboard the US Coast Guard cutter Richard Etheridge and handed over to the authorities in Miami Beach.

“Thinking about the amount that was captured, especially as we have our three children, it is an amazing thing to have happened,” said Charlotte Budd, Nigel’s wife.

“I didn’t realise how big the haul was until after its worth was revealed. We are all so very, very proud of him – he is our local hero.”

Weeks before the event, the Romsey father, with more than 40 years service in the auxiliary fleet, was tracking hurricanes to be able to aid those who have been affected by them.

“Because of his job, he is away from us up to six months at a time. It can be extremely hard, but when something like this happens and he stops the drugs from being sold, then you feel that all the sacrifices are worth it.

“A couple of times before he and his crew have come close but the smugglers just dump the drugs in the sea and they can’t be recovered; he says that can be really frustrating.

“But now they have got a haul this big, he is delighted.”

Following the official announcement last week, Charlotte added Nigel received congratulatory letters from senior navy officers, government ministers and even the US secretary of state John Kerry.

Family friends have also been contacting Charlotte, sending their congratulations.

Captain Budd said: “This seizure highlights how effectively the US Coast Guard, we and our allies are working together to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks that depend on the flow of illicit drugs from South America into the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe.”

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a civilian-manned fleet that provides the Royal Navy with worldwide logistical and operational support.

A navy spokesman said the success of the mission meant cocaine worth a total of £40 million would never reach its destination.

He added: “After a dramatic six-hour chase across the Caribbean, 14 bales of illegal drugs were captured in a combined operation by the Royal Navy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the US Coast Guard.

“A Royal Marines sniper in a Lynx helicopter first fired warning shots. When these were ignored he took out the speedboat’s engines, bringing it to a halt.

“The successful bust was sparked by a maritime patrol aircraft sighting the go-fast and directing Wave Knight to intercept.

“She responded by bearing down on the speedboat and launching her helicopter, which no boat could outrun.”

Based in Portland, Dorset, the tanker’s task is to provide fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to navy ships around the world.

Wave Knight is currently preparing to host Prince Harry during his planned tour of the Caribbean later this month.

The 32-year-old prince will be given a cabin on the ship as he travels around the islands representing his grandmother, the Queen.