Pakistan Navy Executes $972M Drug Bust in Arabian Sea

In one of the largest maritime drug seizures in recent history, the Pakistan Navy has intercepted narcotics worth over $972 million during a high-stakes operation in the North Arabian Sea.

The operation was carried out by PNS Yarmook under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150), part of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Within 48 hours, the Pakistani vessel intercepted two dhow sailboats identified as stateless and seized several tons of crystal methamphetamine along with a smaller quantity of cocaine.

The CMF, which includes naval forces from 47 countries and patrols over 3 million square miles of strategic waters, hailed the operation as one of its most successful narcotics interdictions to date. Commodore Fahad Aljoiad of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces praised the professionalism and precision of the Pakistan Navy team.

The U.S. Central Command also congratulated the CMF on social media, highlighting the significance of the bust in disrupting international drug trafficking networks.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the Pakistan Navy’s efforts, calling the operation a matter of national pride. Both leaders commended Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the crew of PNS Yarmook for their exemplary performance and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and maritime security.

This operation underscores Pakistan’s growing role as a responsible maritime partner in the Indian Ocean region, actively contributing to global efforts against terrorism, smuggling, and illegal trade.