Pakistan Navy seizes $750m of narcotics in Arabian Sea raid

Pakistan Navy warships PNS Hunain and PNS Yarmook have seized more than 2,800 kilogrammes of narcotics, valued at approximately $750 million, during a joint counter-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two ships were on routine patrol when they intercepted a suspicious boat. Naval personnel then boarded the vessel and recovered the narcotics from concealed compartments, the statement said.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the officers and crews of both ships for their “professionalism and vigilance”, and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to maritime security and combating illicit trafficking at sea, according to ISPR.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both praised the operation. Zardari said the Navy was playing “a valuable role” in safeguarding the country’s maritime boundaries and sea lanes, while the Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif commended the force for the major recovery.

The ISPR said the Navy remained fully prepared to prevent illegal activities at sea and continued to play an active role in safeguarding national maritime interests.