Pakistan Navy Seizes Nearly $1 Billion Worth of Illicit Drugs in Arabian Sea

In a significant operation, the Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook, in direct collaboration with the Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized narcotics worth nearly $972.4 million in the Arabian Sea. The seizure occurred during CTF 150’s focused operation, AL MASMAK, which took place over a span of 48 hours.

During the operation, PNS Yarmook conducted boarding operations on two suspicious dhows that were not transmitting signals on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and had no external markings or national identification. The first dhow, boarded on October 18, yielded over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) with an estimated street value of $822.4 million. Less than 48 hours later, the crew seized another 350 kg of ICE worth $140 million, along with 50 kg of cocaine valued at $10 million, from the second dhow.

The drugs were transported back to the ship for testing and were eventually disposed of following the confirmation of their contents.

Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of CTF 150, praised the success of the operation, saying, “The success of this focused operation highlights the importance of the multi-national collaboration.” He further noted, “PNS Yarmook has had one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF, which is directly attributed to the expertise and collaboration of our naval forces within the organization.”

Focused Operation AL MASMAK began on October 16 and demonstrated the power of multinational cooperation in enhancing regional security. Saudi Arabia coordinated assets from Pakistan, France, Spain, and the United States in the operation.

CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the trafficking of weapons, drugs, and other illicit substances in key maritime routes such as the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman. The Combined Maritime Forces, a 47-nation naval partnership, plays a crucial role in maintaining international maritime security across 3.2 million square miles of vital shipping lanes.