Pakistan Navy seizes $972M in drugs during Al Masmak operation

The Pakistan Navy ship Yarmook, operating with the multinational Combined Maritime Forces, seized more than $972 million worth of narcotics from two sailing vessels in the Arabian Sea during separate boardings over a 48 hour period last week, officials said. The seizures took place as part of Focused Operation Al Masmak, which began on October 16 and is aimed at disrupting the maritime movement of illicit drugs and other contraband.

According to the Combined Maritime Forces, PNS Yarmook intercepted two dhows that were not transmitting Automatic Identification System signals and were later identified as having no nationality. On October 18, boarding teams recovered over two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE, with an estimated street value of about $822.4 million. Less than 48 hours later, crews boarded a second dhow and seized 350 kilograms of ICE valued at roughly $140 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine worth about $10 million. The narcotics were returned to the ship for testing to confirm their contents and were subsequently disposed of, the statement said.

The operations were carried out in direct support of the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150, which...