‘Op AL MASMAK’: Pakistan Navy seizes nearly $1 billion narcotics in Arabian Sea

DUBAI:  Pakistan Navy has seized narcotics worth an estimated $972 million during two successful interdictions in the Arabian Sea, according to a statement issued by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) on Tuesday.

The operation, part of the ongoing “Operation AL MASMAK”, saw the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yarmook intercept two unflagged dhow sailing vessels within 48 hours. The ships, not broadcasting Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals or bearing any visible national markings, were found to be stateless upon inspection.

On October 18, the first dhow was boarded, leading to the seizure of over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) with a street value of $822.4 million. Less than two days later, a second operation yielded 350 kilograms of ICE worth $140 million, and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10 million.

The drugs were tested aboard the naval vessel and then safely disposed of.

“This is one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, the CMF task force leading the operation. He praised the cooperation between participating navies and highlighted the success of the multinational approach.

The Combined Maritime Forces is a 47-nation naval coalition tasked with promoting maritime security across 3.2 million square miles of strategic waterways, including the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman. Operation AL MASMAK, launched on October 16, is being coordinated by Saudi Arabia, involving maritime forces from Pakistan, the United States, France, and Spain.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) congratulated the task force in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), affirming its commitment to disrupting the trafficking of drugs and weapons across one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.

U.S. Central Command congratulates the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 of Combined Maritime Forces for successfully seizing more than $972 million worth of narcotics. Over a 48-hour period, Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook conducted boarding operations of two dhows in the Arabian…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 21, 2025

CTF 150’s mission focuses on denying non-state actors the freedom to move illicit materials, including narcotics and weapons, which often fund terrorist activities and organized crime.

This high-profile interdiction underscores the effectiveness of regional and international collaboration in safeguarding maritime trade and curbing transnational criminal networks.