MANAMA, Bahrain —Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook, operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), has seized narcotics valued at more than $972.4 million in the Arabian Sea during CTF 150’s Focused Operation AL MASMAK.
THE OPERATION
During 48 hours, PNS Yarmook carried out boarding operations on two dhows that were not transmitting on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and had no visible nationality markings. Both vessels were later confirmed to be stateless.
FIRST SEIZURE
On October 18, the crew boarded the first dhow and seized over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) with an estimated street value of $822.4 million.
SECOND SEIZURE
Less than 48 hours later, PNS Yarmook intercepted another dhow, confiscating 350 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine worth $140 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10 million. The seized narcotics were brought aboard the ship for testing and were later disposed of according to procedure.
COMMANDER’S STATEMENT
Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, Commander of CTF 150, said:
“The success of this focused operation highlights the importance of the multi-national collaboration. PNS Yarmook has had one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF, which is directly attributed to the expertise and collaboration of our naval forces within the organization.”
FOCUSED OPERATION AL MASMAK
Focused Operation AL MASMAK began on October 16 and involved coordinated efforts by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Spain, and the United States. The operation demonstrated joint maritime action to counter illegal trafficking in regional waters.
ABOUT CTF 150 AND CMF
Combined Task Force 150 works to deter and disrupt the movement of weapons, drugs, and other illicit substances across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a 47-nation naval partnership committed to ensuring maritime security across 3.2 million square miles of vital international waterways.
