Pakistan Navy Seizes Drugs Worth $96m In Arabian Sea

Pakistan Navy has seized narcotics worth approximately $96 million during two counter-narcotics operations in the Arabian Sea, according to the military’s media wing. The operations were carried out while a naval ship was deployed at extended ranges from the Pakistani coast as part of maritime security activity.

The statement said Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook conducted both operations and intercepted two dhows during the mission. The vessels were searched after interception, leading to the recovery of a large cache of narcotics hidden inside concealed compartments.

According to the official statement, approximately 850 kilogrammes of ice and 2,000 kilogrammes of hashish and cannabis were recovered from the vessels. The seized narcotics were taken into custody and are expected to be handed over to the relevant authorities for further disposal and legal proceedings.

The operation highlights the growing importance of maritime surveillance in Pakistan’s anti-smuggling and counter-narcotics strategy. The Arabian Sea has long been considered a sensitive route for illegal trafficking because of its connection to regional shipping lanes, coastal networks and international waters.

Officials said the operation reflected sustained naval presence and vigilance at sea. Maritime deployments allow authorities to monitor suspicious vessels, intercept trafficking attempts and support broader efforts to protect Pakistan’s coastal and offshore security interests.

The seizure also carries wider regional significance because drug trafficking networks often use maritime routes to move narcotics between producers, transit points and overseas markets. Large seizures at sea can disrupt supply chains and reduce the ability of criminal networks to move illicit consignments through the region.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to Pakistan Navy after the operation and praised its role in preventing illegal activity within the country’s maritime boundaries. He said continuous vigilance, preparedness and resolve against drug smuggling at sea were important for national and regional security.

The latest seizure follows previous major counter-narcotics actions by Pakistan Navy in the Arabian Sea, including operations in which drugs worth hundreds of millions of dollars were recovered. Those earlier actions had already underlined the scale of illicit trafficking pressure in the maritime domain.

The next step will involve handing over the seized narcotics for legal processing and disposal under the relevant procedures. The development is likely to strengthen calls for continued maritime patrols, intelligence coordination and regional cooperation against trafficking networks using the Arabian Sea.