Drugs worth more than $142 million were seized from multiple vessels sailing in the Arabian Sea as part of an operation conducted by a Bahrain-based task force.
Two French Navy frigates, operating in direct support of the Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, spearheaded the operation recently.
Over several weeks, multiple dhows of interest were intercepted for failing to display external markings or transmit signals via the Automatic Identification System – a shipboard maritime tracking and broadcast system required for vessels over a certain weight and length by international maritime authorities.
French navy crews conduct the operation in the Arabian Sea
Boardings were conducted by French crews, resulting in the discovery of illicit drugs.
Across nine separate operations, more than 16 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and hashish were seized, confirmed through testing and subsequently destroyed.
According to Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell pricing, the regional wholesale value of the drugs was estimated to be more than $142m.
Bahrain-based RNIFC works closely with CMF to counter illegal drug shipments in the region. The interagency fusion cell analyses and disseminates military intelligence and law enforcement information to assist in transnational threats emanating from illicit drug trades.
CTF 150 has dealt a blow to drug traffickers after seizing narcotics worth more than $142m from multiple dhows in the Arabian Sea recently
“The continuous presence of Combined Maritime Forces, operating through multi-national collaboration, in the fight against the illicit narcotics trade has resulted in an incredibly successful period of interdictions,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore and CTF 150 commander Fahad Aljoiad.
“Just last month, we saw Pakistan warships PNS Yamook and PNS Tabuk interdict more than four tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and 50kg of cocaine, with a combined estimated regional wholesale value of more than $295m.”
Commodore Aljoiad said the past few months have seen the most successful period of interdictions in CMF history, “all owing to the professionalism and commitment of the combined naval forces service men and women.”
The GDN reported in October that drugs worth nearly $1 billion were seized in the Arabian Sea by the Saudi-led task force, which is part of the 47-nation CMF based in 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.
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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