Tonnes of hashish worth about BD9.7 million were seized on the high seas by a Pakistani Navy ship operating under a Bahrain-based task force.
The Pakistan Navy guided-missile frigate PNS Zulfiquar supporting Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, interdicted a vessel carrying 1.3 tonnes of the drug in the North Arabian Sea on October 12, it was announced yesterday.
The ship was taking part in a focused operation, Himalayan Spirit (October 8-14), targeting illicit maritime activities, especially narcotics smuggling in the area. Hashish, also known as hash, is a concentrated form of cannabis that has been used for centuries for its psychoactive effects.
“The profits generated from these illicit activities are used for terrorism and related criminal activities,” said a Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) statement.
Zulfiquar and the multi-purpose vessel, PMSS Kolachi, along with US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels, took part in Himalayan Spirit.
These ships were supported by aircraft from the Pakistan Navy and the US Navy’s Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.
“Information regarding suspicious vessels was regularly exchanged among participating units,” added the CMF. “This information was instrumental in the interdiction.”
CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership of 46 nations, including Bahrain.
Its mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
Pakistan Navy assumed command of CTF 150 in July for the 13th time and this time under the command of Commodore Asim Malik, who said the collaborative efforts involved were key to maintaining maritime security.
He praised the professionalism and swift response of Zulfiquar and the other units participating in Himalayan Spirit.
“This interdiction not only reinforces Pakistan Navy’s commitment to international efforts for ensuring peace and security across world’s critical maritime chokepoints it also reflects shared commitment of all participating nations,” said CTF 150 Commander Commodore Malik.
The task force was established in 2002 and in the past six months of this year has conducted seven successful drug interdictions at sea, with more than 11,600kg of illegal narcotics seized worth millions from different vessels.
CMF’s other task forces include CTF 151, which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; CTF 153, providing maritime security in the Red Sea; and CTF 154, which delivers maritime training.
CMF, headquartered in Bahrain with US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet, promotes security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
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