The Pakistan Navy seized narcotics worth approximately $750 million during a joint counter-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea, the navy’s Director General Public Relations announced on Saturday. The operation, conducted by Pakistan Navy ships PNS Hunain and PNS Yarmook under the ambit of maritime security operations, resulted in the interception of a suspicious boat during routine patrols. More than 2,800 kilogrammes of narcotics were recovered from concealed compartments on board the vessel during a subsequent inspection.
The seizure ranks among the largest drug busts by Pakistani naval forces in recent years. According to the official statement, the ships conducted a boarding operation after intercepting the suspicious vessel. The recovered narcotics were found hidden in concealed compartments, underscoring the sophisticated methods used by traffickers to move illicit cargo across the Arabian Sea.
In a statement, the Pakistan Navy described the achievement as a reflection of its sustained surveillance, vigilance, and unwavering commitment to regional maritime security, global peace, and the fight against illicit trafficking at sea. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the officers and crew of PNS Hunain and PNS Yarmook for their professionalism, vigilance, and dedication. He reiterated that the Pakistan Navy remained committed to safeguarding national maritime interests and maintaining good order at sea while contributing to the security of the global commons.
The Arabian Sea operation is the latest in a series of major counter-narcotics successes by the Pakistan Navy. In June, the navy seized around two tonnes of drugs — 1,500 kilogrammes of hashish and 500 kilogrammes of ‘ice’ — near the coastline of Gwadar. The value of those seized drugs was estimated at around $215 million in the international market. In October last year, the navy seized narcotics worth more than $972 million from sailboats in the Arabian Sea, a haul that at the time was described as a significant blow to trafficking networks.
The recurring seizures highlight the scale of illicit trafficking in the region and the navy’s expanding role in combating it. The Arabian Sea operation was carried out under maritime security operations, a framework that allows the Pakistan Navy to conduct routine patrols, surveillance, and interdiction missions. The recovery of more than 2,800 kilogrammes of narcotics from a single vessel reflects both the volume of contraband moving through the area and the effectiveness of naval intelligence and boarding procedures.
Admiral Ashraf’s commendation of the crews of PNS Hunain and PNS Yarmook signals the importance the navy places on such operations. The statement noted that the achievement reflected the navy’s sustained surveillance and vigilance, as well as its commitment to regional maritime security and the global fight against illicit trafficking at sea. The navy has consistently framed its counter-narcotics efforts as part of a broader contribution to international security, particularly in the global commons where commercial and strategic shipping lanes converge.
The Arabian Sea operation, which resulted in the seizure of narcotics valued at approximately $750 million, adds to the navy’s record of major interdictions. The June seizure near Gwadar and the October 2023 seizure from sailboats in the Arabian Sea demonstrate a pattern of sustained counter-narcotics activity. Each operation involves patrols, intelligence-gathering, and boarding actions that carry inherent risks for naval personnel.
With this latest haul, the Pakistan Navy has reinforced its position as a key player in regional maritime security. The operation underscores the continuing challenge of illicit trafficking in the Arabian Sea and the navy’s determination to disrupt it. As Admiral Ashraf noted, the commitment to safeguarding national maritime interests and maintaining good order at sea remains a priority, alongside contributing to the security of the global commons.
Source: Dawn News