In a major triumph against international drug trafficking, the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yarmook has seized narcotics worth nearly $1 billion during a high-stakes operation in the Arabian Sea.
The operation, carried out under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) — a coalition of 47 navies including the United States and Saudi Arabia — marks one of the most successful counter-narcotics missions in recent years.
As per the official statement of the CMF, the Pakistani naval vessel intercepted two dhow boats — small, traditional sailing vessels within the time span of 48 hours during Operation Al Masmak, which started on October 16.
Acting on precise intelligence, the crew boarded the first vessel on October 18, uncovering over two tons of crystal methamphetamine valued at $822 million. Less than two days later, they almost seized 350 kilograms of crystal meth worth $140 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine worth another $10 million from a second dhow.
Both vessels were found to be stateless and operating without clear identification. The confiscated drugs were brought aboard PNS Yarmook for testing and subsequently destroyed in accordance with international maritime protocols.
“This was one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” said Commodore Fahad Aljoiad of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, commending the operation as a model of international cooperation.
The Pakistan Navy commended the achievement as a reflection of its “unwavering dedication to regional maritime security and the global fight against illicit trafficking.”
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf praised the crew’s professionalism and highlighted that Pakistan’s participation in CMF strengthens interoperability with partner navies, especially Saudi Arabia.
President Asif Ali Zardari also congratulated the Navy, calling the accomplishment “a matter of national pride and professional excellence.”
Commissioned in 2020, PNS Yarmook is a state-of-the-art multi-mission corvette equipped for anti-ship, anti-air, and electronic warfare operations.
Over the years, it has taken part in various humanitarian and maritime security missions — reaffirming Pakistan’s growing role as a responsible maritime power in the Indian Ocean region.