Pakistan Navy and Saudi-Led Task Force Seize $972 Million in Drugs in Arabian Sea

Maritime Drug Interdiction Success

Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Yarmook, operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), intercepted two dhow sailboats in the Arabian Sea within 48 hours. The operation resulted in the seizure of narcotics valued at roughly $972 million. The hauls included several tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and some cocaine.

Multiple reports emphasized that the vessels were stateless or unmarked. Coverage consistently places the interdictions in the Arabian Sea, with one account specifying the North Arabian Sea. Collectively, the sources describe the interdictions as a major, rapid succession success under the Saudi-led CTF-150 and the broader CMF mission.

Reporting for this sectionMenafnThe Peninsula QatarDialogue PakistanArab News PK

Drug Interception Operation Details

Operational accounts converge on a fast-tempo 48-hour sequence. The first dhow was intercepted on October 18, followed by a second boarding soon after. These actions yielded more than two tons of crystal meth, valued at about $822.4 million.

Additionally, another 350 kg of ICE, worth about $140 million, and 50 kg of cocaine, valued at about $10 million, were seized. One outlet adds that the wider operation began on October 16 under the banner of Operation AL MASMAK.

Multiple sources say the vessels were unmarked, stateless, or transmitting no AIS signals. Several reports state the drugs were tested or verified at sea and then destroyed or disposed of onboard.

Reporting for this sectionMenafnPakistan ObserverDialogue PakistanThe Peninsula Qatar

Coalition Maritime Operations Coverage

Coalition framing varies by outlet.

West Asian and Asian sources repeatedly underscore that CTF-150 is Saudi-led, and several highlight Pakistan’s role via PNS Yarmook.

Arab News links the bust to strengthening Pakistan–Saudi defense cooperation and interoperability.

The Peninsula Qatar highlights the Combined Maritime Forces as a 47-country coalition, crediting one of its most successful narcotics seizures.

Dialogue Pakistan emphasizes U.S. Central Command’s praise and the effectiveness of multinational coordination across the Combined Maritime Forces’ vast maritime area.

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Details on Vessel and Drug Reports

Accounts differ in specificity about the vessels and contraband. Some reports describe the targets as stateless or unmarked dhows with no AIS signals. Other reports simply call them dhow sailboats with no nationality.

Regarding the handling of evidence, outlets note at-sea verification and either destruction or disposal onboard. Across reports, the drugs are consistently identified as large quantities of crystal methamphetamine and a smaller quantity of cocaine.

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Details of Major Drug Seizures

The numeric breakdown is most precise in Menafn and Pakistan Observer: more than two tons of ICE valued around $822.4 million, plus 350 kg of ICE worth $140 million and 50 kg of cocaine worth $10 million, all seized within 48 hours. Menafn dates the first dhow interception to October 18, while Pakistan Observer dates the wider operation’s start to October 16. Several outlets use “over $972 million,” while Arab News PK writes “nearly $972 million,” and identifies the area as the North Arabian Sea, a more specific geographic label than the broader “Arabian Sea” used elsewhere.

Reporting for this sectionMenafnPakistan ObserverThe Peninsula QatarArab News PK