Pakistan Navy Seizes Nearly $1bn Worth of Narcotics in Arabian Sea Operation

ISLAMABAD – October 22, 2025:
In one of the most significant drug seizures in maritime history, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook confiscated narcotics worth nearly $972 million from two stateless sailing vessels in the Arabian Sea, according to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and Pakistan Navy.

The interdiction was carried out last week as part of Operation Al Masmak, a Saudi-led mission under the CMF’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which began on October 16.

In the first operation on October 18, Yarmook intercepted a dhow and discovered over two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine onboard, with an estimated street value of $822 million. Less than 48 hours later, a second vessel was seized carrying 350 kilograms of methamphetamine worth $140 million, along with 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10 million.

The narcotics were tested onboard and then disposed of, while both vessels were found to be without nationality, the CMF said. Their points of origin were not disclosed.

Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, who leads the task force, called it “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” emphasizing the importance of multinational maritime cooperation.

The U.S. Central Command praised the effort in a social media post, highlighting the role of the 47-nation CMF in policing key maritime routes and combatting illegal trafficking.

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PNS Yarmook, commissioned in 2020, is a modern multi-role warship equipped for anti-air, anti-ship, and electronic warfare missions. It has previously taken part in search and rescue efforts and merchant ship security patrols in the Indian Ocean.

The record-breaking operation is seen as a major blow to transnational smuggling networks operating in the region.