Rawalpindi : Pakistan Navy Ship YARMOOK, operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), has 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 reported on Wednesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), this successful operation underscores the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to regional maritime security, global peace, and the collective fight against illicit trafficking at sea.
The operation was carried out as part of the multinational CTF-150, which focuses on ensuring maritime stability and countering terrorism and illegal activities across the high seas. The PNS YARMOOK’s success reaffirmed Pakistan’s active role as a responsible maritime partner, contributing to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Following the operation, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the professionalism and dedication of the PNS YARMOOK crew. He emphasized Pakistan Navy’s continued efforts to protect national maritime interests while also contributing to global security through coordinated maritime security operations.
Admiral Ashraf also highlighted that PNS YARMOOK‘s successful operation under the Saudi-led task force would enhance the interoperability between the two navies and strengthen defense cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In addition, the CMF — a multinational naval coalition that includes the United States — confirmed that a Pakistani naval ship intercepted two separate dhow boats within 48 hours last week. The boats, which were identified as “having no nationality,” were found carrying narcotics. The seizure included several tons of crystal methamphetamine and smaller amounts of cocaine, though the port of origin for the vessels was not specified.
Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, who commands the CMF task force, described the operation as “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF” and praised the outcome.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) also congratulated the CMF for its continued role in disrupting the trafficking of narcotics and weapons across critical maritime routes. The CMF, comprising 47 nations, safeguards over 3 million square miles of sea, including vital shipping lanes.
According to CENTCOM, the operation involved PNS YARMOOK boarding two dhows, which were not transmitting on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and lacked external markings. The first dhow, boarded on October 18, yielded over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) valued at $822.4 million. Less than two days later, a second boarding led to the seizure of 350 kilograms of ICE worth $140 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10 million.
The narcotics were tested onboard and then disposed of, with the operation being conducted under the umbrella of Operation AL MASMAK, which began on October 16. The multinational operation, which also involves Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Spain, and the United States, is designed to enhance regional maritime security and disrupt illicit trafficking through the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.
The CTF-150 task force leads efforts to deter non-state actors from transporting weapons, drugs, and other illicit cargo across these critical maritime regions.
