The Pakistan Navy (PN) has successfully seized over 2,000 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, often referred to as ‘ice,’ in a major counter-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea. The illicit haul is valued at nearly $130 million on the international market, according to a statement released by the navy’s Directorate-General Public Relations (DG PR) on Wednesday.
The operation was executed by the PN ship Tabuk while it was conducting a regional maritime security patrol. The vessel was working in support of the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), an element of the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a multinational naval partnership that includes the United States.
The Tabuk intercepted a “suspicious dhow” operating in the Arabian Sea. Following the interdiction, the ship conducted a successful search of the stateless vessel, which led to the capture of the large cache of narcotics.
The DG PR statement highlighted that this was the third consecutive successful interdiction carried out by PN ships in the last two months, underscoring the navy’s consistent efforts against illicit trafficking at sea.
The scale and flawless execution of the operation demonstrate the PN’s professionalism and the significant effectiveness of multinational coordination under the CMF framework.
The Pakistan Navy affirmed its “enduring resolve and unwavering commitment” to safeguarding national maritime interests. It stated that it remains steadfast in upholding the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while actively contributing to global maritime security efforts.
This seizure follows other high-value drug busts by the PN. Just last month, the PN ship Yarmook intercepted narcotics from sailboats in the Arabian Sea with a staggering value of more than $972 million. Earlier in August, the Navy and the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had worked together to seize approximately 1,250 kg of illicit drugs, valued at $38 million, from smugglers operating near Balochistan’s Pasni coast.
