Pakistan Navy seizes $130M of drugs in major Arabian Sea operation

Pakistan Navy has carried out a major anti-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea, seizing over 2,000 kilograms of methamphetamine (ICE) with an estimated regional market value of $130 million.

This latest operation comes nearly a month after Pakistan Navy vessels intercepted narcotics worth more than $972 million from two unflagged sailing boats in the Arabian Sea on October 22, an operation officials described as one of the most successful undertaken by an international naval taskforce. The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 47-nation coalition led by the United States, had announced that seizure.

The latest success underscores Pakistan’s ongoing role in combating illegal drug trafficking in the region while strengthening multinational maritime security cooperation.

The operation was conducted by PNS Tabuk during the Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) under the framework of CMF and in support of Task Force CTF-150, according to an official Pakistan Navy statement.

The ship intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel and, after preliminary questioning, carried out a coordinated anti-narcotics raid on the unregistered, unnamed dhow.

This marks the third successful anti-narcotics operation by Pakistan Navy ships in the past two months, reflecting a consistent and proactive approach to tackling illicit smuggling at sea.

Officials noted that operations of this scale not only demonstrate the professional capabilities of the Pakistan Navy but also highlight the value of multinational coordination under CMF, contributing to regional maritime security.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national maritime interests, enforcing international law, and upholding the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Through joint patrols and collaborative security initiatives, the Navy aims to maintain a secure and stable maritime environment, reinforcing its role in global efforts to combat transnational crime.