Pakistan Navy ship seizes drugs worth $972 million in major Arabian sea operation

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Pakistan Navy Ship 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 military’s media wing said on Wednesday

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), this remarkable achievement highlights Pakistan Navy’s unwavering commitment to regional maritime security, global peace, and the collective fight against illicit trafficking at sea.

"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," statement said.

Upon execution of successful antinarcotic operation, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the crew of PNS YARMOOK for their professionalism and dedication.

He emphasized that Pakistan Navy remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard national maritime interests while contributing to the global commons through cooperation and coordinated maritime security efforts.

The Naval Chief underscored that PNS YARMOOK’s operation under Saudi led task force will further enhance the interoperability between the two navies and strengthen defence collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the CMF — a multinational naval alliance that includes the United States — also confirmed that a Pakistani naval ship intercepted two separate dhow boats within 48 hours last week.

The CMF statement noted that the crew recovered several tons of crystal methamphetamine and a smaller amount of cocaine from the vessels, which were “identified as having no nationality,” without specifying their port of origin.

Describing the interdiction as “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, who commands the CMF task force responsible for the mission, praised the successful outcome.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in a post on X, congratulated the CMF — a coalition of 47 nations’ navies safeguarding over three million square miles of sea, including critical shipping lanes — for its ongoing role in disrupting the trafficking of narcotics and weapons.

U.S. Central Command congratulates the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 of Combined Maritime Forces for successfully seizing more than $972 million worth of narcotics. Over a 48-hour period, Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook conducted boarding operations of two dhows in the Arabian…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 21, 2025

According to US CENTCOM, the operation was conducted by PNS Yarmook, which boarded two dhows that were not transmitting on Automatic Identification System (AIS) and had no external markings, with both later confirmed to be without nationality.

The first dhow was boarded on October 18, where the crew seized over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) valued at $822,400,000. Within less than two days, another boarding led to the confiscation of 350 kilograms of ICE worth $140,000,000 and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10,000,000.

The statement added that the recovered narcotics were transported back to the ship for testing and were subsequently disposed of.

The CMF — a 47-nation maritime partnership — works to maintain the international rules-based order and ensure security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of ocean, which cover some of the world’s most vital maritime routes.

The seizure took place under Operation AL MASMAK, which began on October 16 and demonstrated a coordinated multinational strategy to bolster regional maritime security, jointly involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Spain, and the United States.

The CTF-150 task force, part of the CMF, leads efforts to deter non-state actors from transporting weapons, drugs, and other illicit cargo through the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.