The Pakistan Navy successfully intercepted a major drug smuggling attempt in the Arabian Sea, seizing narcotics valued at $130 million. The operation was carried out by Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Tabuk, which intercepted a suspicious stateless dhow carrying over 2,000 kilograms of methamphetamine (ICE), according to a statement by the Pakistan Navy Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) on Wednesday.
The counter-narcotics operation was conducted as part of the Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) and in support of the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). This marks the third consecutive successful interdiction by Pakistan Navy vessels in the last two months.
Last month, PNS Yarmook carried out two similar operations in the Arabian Sea, seizing narcotics worth approximately $1 billion from sailboats, including several tons of ICE and a smaller quantity of cocaine.
Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of the CMF taskforce, described the prior operations as “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF.” The United States Central Command also praised the Pakistan Navy, stating that these operations disrupted the smuggling of both drugs and weapons in the region.
The DGPR spokesperson emphasized that the PNS Tabuk operation demonstrates the Pakistan Navy’s enduring resolve and commitment against illicit trafficking at sea. The success of the mission highlights not only the navy’s professionalism but also the effectiveness of multinational coordination under the CMF framework, which involves 47 nations cooperating across 3.2 million square miles of water.
The Pakistan Navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national maritime interests and upholding international law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The spokesperson added that such operations reflect Pakistan’s ongoing contribution to global maritime security and its dedication to combating illegal trafficking in regional waters.
The operation reinforces the Pakistan Navy’s proactive stance in maintaining safe and secure maritime routes while supporting multinational efforts to curb drug smuggling and other illicit activities in the Arabian Sea.
