The Pakistan Navy has carried out one of its largest-ever maritime drug seizures, intercepting nearly US$1 billion worth of narcotics during a two-day operation in the Arabian Sea.
Operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the navy’s patrol ship PNS Yarmook conducted a series of interdictions during Focused Operation Al Masmak, targeting vessels suspected of smuggling illicit substances through international waters.
Between 18 and 20 October, PNS Yarmook intercepted two dhows exhibiting suspicious behaviour, including a lack of national identification and failure to transmit on the Automatic Identification System.
Upon boarding the first vessel, navy personnel discovered more than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine with an estimated street value of US$822.4 million.
Less than 48 hours later, the crew boarded a second dhow and uncovered 350 kilogrammes of methamphetamine valued at US$140 million, along with 50 kilogrammes of cocaine worth an additional US$10 million.
The seized narcotics were subsequently tested, verified and disposed of in accordance with established maritime procedures.
Commodore Fahad Aljoiad of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, who commands CTF 150, commended the Pakistan Navy’s decisive action, noting that PNS Yarmook’s success represented one of the most significant narcotics seizures in the task force’s history.
He attributed the achievement to the high level of coordination and expertise displayed by the multinational naval forces involved.
Operation Al Masmak, launched on 16 October, is a focused multinational effort aimed at disrupting the flow of illicit goods and enhancing maritime security across the region.
The initiative involves naval assets from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Spain and the United States, working in concert to prevent non-state actors from exploiting sea routes for trafficking activities.
CTF 150 operates as part of the broader Combined Maritime Forces, a coalition of 47 nations dedicated to promoting stability, security and freedom of navigation across more than 3.2 million square miles of strategically critical waters, including the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.
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