In separate operations, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) confiscated a large amount of narcotics and detained 12 drug peddlers.

Deputy Director General PMSA Commodore Amir Iqbal Khan told a news conference at the PMSA headquarters on Monday that the PMSA and Customs, in an intelligence-based counter-drugs operation on September 27, stopped narcotics smuggling.

After receiving the intelligence, the PMSA dispatched its ships and small boats. The PMSA ship observed a suspicious boat while patrolling. When the PMSA ship approached the suspicious boat, it attempted to flee, but was successfully intercepted.

To avoid legal repercussions, the crew set fire to the yacht and leaped into the water. The PMSA ship emphasised rescuing lives, and all of the boat’s crew members were quickly rescued. Despite smugglers’ attempts to destroy evidence by sinking the boat, the PMSA team recovered cocaine tossed into the sea and captured the perpetrators.

During the operation, eight smugglers were apprehended, as well as around 15 kg of crystal ice. In contrast, the boat sank with around 1000 kgs of crystal ice. The international market value of these drugs was estimated to be Rs. 45 million and Rs. 12.96 billion, respectively. The recovered drugs were turned over to Pakistan Customs for further legal action.

A PMSA ship intercepted a suspicious boat in high seas within Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in another action south of Gwadar. During the boat’s search, 28 kgs of hashish were discovered in its concealed compartments. The boat, as well as four crew members, were captured. The confiscated drugs were believed to be worth Rs. 4.0 million.