DRUGS worth nearly $1 billion were seized in a major operation in the Arabian Sea by a Bahrain-based task force.
This makes it one of the largest narcotics hauls by the Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which is part of the 47-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) that is based in Bahrain.
Over a 48-hour period, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook boarded two dhows after detecting that neither vessel was transmitting on Automatic Identification System (AIS) or displaying any external markings.
Both dhows were subsequently identified as stateless.
“The crew boarded the first dhow on October 18 and seized more than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) with an estimated street value of $822,400,000,” said a CMF statement yesterday.
“Less than 48 hours later, the crew boarded a second dhow and seized 350kg of ICE worth $140,000,000, and 50kg of cocaine worth $10,000,000.”
The narcotics were taken to the ship for testing and subsequently disposed of.
The statement added that the seizure was part of focused operation, Al Masak, which began on October 16 and has successfully demonstrated a co-ordinated multinational approach to enhancing regional security and maritime safety, with Saudi Arabia working in tandem with Pakistan, French, Spanish and US navies.
“The success of this focused operation highlights the importance of the multi-national collaboration,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, Commander of CTF 150.
“PNS Yarmook has had one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF, which is directly attributed to the expertise and collaboration of our naval forces within the organisation.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday praised the Pakistan Navy’s efforts on the successful counter-narcotics operation by PNS Yarmook.
He said the achievement reflects national pride, professional excellence and Pakistan Navy’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and maritime security.
Another Pakistan Navy Ship working in support of the Saudi-led CTF 150 seized more than $120 million worth of illicit narcotics from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on September 28.
PNS Yamama seized 155kg of methamphetamine and 65kg of cocaine from a stateless dhow during a routine patrol.
CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval partnership.
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.
CMF, headquartered in Bahrain, is a 47-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2m square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
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.
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