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In a major counter-narcotics operation, a Pakistan Navy ship operating with the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 intercepted two unflagged dhows in the North Arabian Sea and Pakistan navy seizes drugs — several tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and smaller quantities of cocaine — with an estimated street value approaching $972 million. 🚢💥
The interception: quick summary
According to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the crew of PNS Yarmook boarded a first dhow on Oct. 18 and recovered over two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine; less than 48 hours later they boarded a second dhow and seized an additional 350kg of ICE and roughly 50kg of cocaine. This operation — in which the Pakistan navy seizes drugs in unusually large quantities — was hailed as one of the CMF’s most successful narcotics interdictions.
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The interdiction was carried out under the Combined Task Force 150 banner of the Combined Maritime Forces. The CMF’s official release provides operational details and pictures; the US Central Command also publicly congratulated the taskforce on X (formerly Twitter). Regional and international outlets including AFP, Arab News, Dawn and Geo carried the CMF statement and related reporting.
What was seized and why it matters
Sources say the seizure included multiple tonnes of crystal meth (ICE) and notable amounts of cocaine — contraband that could have funded transnational networks if it had reached market. Analysts say when the Pakistan navy seizes drugs at this scale it both deprives criminal rings of revenue and produces investigative leads that can expose smuggling routes and financiers.
Procedure after boarding: testing, custody and disposal
The intercepted consignments were transported to the ship for forensic testing and were subsequently disposed of following protocol, the CMF said. Both vessels were described as not broadcasting on AIS and “identified as having no nationality.” Standard follow-up includes handing evidence to appropriate authorities and pursuing intelligence-led probes — this is where the Pakistan navy seizes drugs and then helps build legal cases.
Regional security context
The Arabian Sea is a busy commercial corridor that smuggling networks exploit. The Combined Maritime Forces — which patrols large swathes of the Indian Ocean and adjoining waters — runs counter-narcotics missions precisely to intercept shipments like these. Successful operations underline how multilateral coordination enables the Pakistan navy seizes drugs before consignments reach shores and markets.
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Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad called the interdiction “one of the most successful narcotics seizures” for the taskforce; the US Central Command amplified praise on social platforms. While large seizures disrupt supply short-term, experts warn traffickers may adapt routes — making continued vigilance essential even after high-profile incidents in which the Pakistan navy seizes drugs.
Where to read the official statement and follow updates
Read the CMF’s full statement on the Combined Maritime Forces website: CMF press release. For wire coverage see AFP/Arab News/Dawn/Geo and for the CENTCOM message check the official X post here: US CENTCOM X. For local aggregation and follow-ups visit NewsCloud.
FAQs
- Q: What exactly did the Pakistan navy seize?
A: The PNS Yarmook recovered more than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine during an initial boarding and then an additional 350kg of ICE and about 50kg of cocaine in a second boarding — total value reported near $972 million. - Q: Which force led the operation?
A: The interdictions were carried out by a Pakistan Navy ship operating with Combined Task Force 150, a component of the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} - Q: Where were the vessels intercepted?
A: The boardings took place in international waters of the North Arabian Sea; both dhows were described as not transmitting AIS and “identified as having no nationality.” - Q: Why is this seizure significant?
A: The sheer size/value makes it one of the CMF’s largest narcotics interdictions, depriving criminal networks of massive revenue and offering leads to disrupt trafficking chains. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} - Q: Where can I find official documents and live coverage?
A: See the CMF press release on the Combined Maritime Forces website and read wire reports from AFP, Arab News, Dawn and Geo; local follow-ups and prosecution updates are often aggregated on platforms such as NewsCloud.
