In one of its largest maritime drug-busts to date, the Pakistan Navy (PN) - operating under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) - has intercepted two unmarked dhow vessels in the Arabian Sea, seizing narcotics with a street-value of more than US$972 million over a 48-hour span.
According to official statements, the PN ship PNS Yarmook boarded the first dhow on 18 October, seizing over two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) valued at approximately US$822.4 million. Less than two days later, a second boarding resulted in the seizure of 350 kg of methamphetamine valued at US$140 million and 50 kg of cocaine estimated at US$10 million.
The vessels were reportedly “identified as having no nationality” and were not transmitting on AIS (Automatic Identification System) nor displaying external markings, suggesting illicit operations well outside normal maritime oversight.
Officials in the Saudi-led task force described the operation, codenamed Operation AL MASMAK (which commenced 16 October), as a prime example of coordinated multinational maritime security.
The PN’s DGPR (Director General Public Relations) issued a statement emphasising the Navy’s “unwavering commitment to regional maritime security, global peace and the collective fight against illicit trafficking at sea.”
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf personally commended the crew of PNS Yarmook for their professionalism and dedication.
The operation is also a marker of growing maritime coordination between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in policing the North Arabian Sea corridor, a known route for drug, arms and human trafficking between South Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
With major shipping lanes crossing this region, the CMF partnership - encompassing 47 member states - plays a strategic role in monitoring and intercepting non-state actors seeking to exploit the ocean environment. The success of this latest seizure underscores both the scale of the illicit-trafficking threat and the value of global naval cooperation.
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