Pakistan Navy seizes drugs worth $972m | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

A Pakistan Navy ship seized narcotics worth more than $972 million from sailboats in the Arabian Sea, according to a statement from the naval network overseeing the operation on Wednesday.

PNS Yarmook, while operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), successfully executed a major counter-narcotics operation in the North Arabian Sea, resulting in the seizure of narcotics valued at approximately $972 million.

The Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a naval partnership that includes the United States, said the Pakistani naval vessel last week intercepted two different dhow sailing boats within 48 hours.

The crew seized several tons of crystal methamphetamine and a smaller amount of cocaine, the CMF statement said.

The intercepted vessels were “identified as having no nationality”, it said without indicating where they had originated.

It was “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of the CMF taskforce carrying out the operation.

The US Central Command in a post on X congratulated the CMF, which includes 47 countries’ navies and patrols more than 3 million square miles of sea including some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes to disrupt the smuggling of drugs and weapons.

Operating as part of the multinational CTF-150 which focuses on ensuring maritime stability and deterring terrorism and illegal activities across the high seas, the successful operation by PNS Yarmook reaffirms Pakistan’s active role as a responsible maritime partner contributing to peace and security in the wider Indian Ocean Region, it further said.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the officers and personnel of the Pakistan Navy for successfully foiling a major narcotics smuggling attempt worth billions of rupees.

In separate statements, both leaders praised the Navy’s professional excellence and its growing international recognition.

President Zardari described the operation as a matter of national pride and a shining example of the Pakistan Navy’s professional capabilities. He emphasized that Yarmook’s success reflected the Navy’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability.

“This major anti-narcotics action highlights Pakistan’s critical role in promoting global peace and maritime security,” the president noted, terming it a fine example of mutual Pak-Saudi cooperation.

He also extended special appreciation to Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the crew of Yarmook for their exemplary performance.

The prime minister said the officers and personnel of Pakistan Navy were engaged round the clock in safeguarding the country’s maritime boundaries.

“The entire nation including myself takes pride in officers and sailors of Pakistan Navy,” he added.