The Pakistan Navy drug seizure in Arabian Sea marks one of the largest narcotics operations in recent maritime history, with a market value exceeding $972 million, officials confirmed.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook, operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), executed the seizure during Focused Operation Al Masmak.
According to an official statement, the two-day operation involved Yarmook intercepting and boarding two suspicious dhows that lacked registration markings and were not transmitting on the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Both vessels were later confirmed as stateless, a common tactic used by international drug traffickers to avoid maritime jurisdiction and conceal illicit cargo across regional sea routes.
During the first boarding, conducted on October 18, naval personnel discovered over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) valued at approximately $822.4 million, marking a major blow to transnational smuggling.
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Within the next 48 hours, Yarmook intercepted a second dhow, confiscating 350 kilograms of crystal meth worth $140 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10 million.
The narcotics were transferred to the naval ship for documentation and verification before being destroyed under strict supervision, following international protocols against illegal trade.
Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, Commander of CTF 150, commended the Pakistan Navy’s efforts, calling it “one of the most successful narcotics seizures in CMF’s history.”
He further stated that the success of Operation Al Masmak underscored the importance of multinational collaboration in combating global maritime crimes.
The focused operation, launched on October 16, saw active participation from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, France, Spain, and the United States, working together to strengthen maritime security across the Arabian Sea.
CTF 150, part of CMF’s global coalition, operates with the mission to prevent illegal transport of weapons, drugs, and contraband across the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea.
The Combined Maritime Forces, representing 47 member nations, oversee more than 3.2 million square miles of strategic waterways, ensuring peace, lawful trade, and maritime stability in international waters.
