The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Tabuk, deployed as part of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150), successfully seized 2,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, amounting to $130 million, in the North Arabian Sea on November 16. Based in Bahrain, CTF-150 is one of four rotating deployments operating under the auspices of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which is composed of 39 countries, including the United States.
In a statement, the Pakistan Navy said, “The scale of the operation coupled with its flawless execution underscores not only Pakistan Navy’s professionalism but also the effectiveness of multinational coordination under CMF.” The Pakistan Navy added, “These successful operations demonstrate Pakistan Navy’s enduring resolve and unwavering commitment against illicit trafficking at sea.”
At the heart of the CMF mission is ensuring maritime security across the Indian Ocean, which is one of the busiest maritime hubs for both legitimate and illicit activity between Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, East Africa, and the Gulf. The November seizure is being lauded as a testament to Pakistani and Saudi Arabian cooperation.
As evidence of this partnership’s effectiveness, Pakistan’s PNS Yarmook was also part of a record seizure over two tons of crystal methamphetamine worth $822 million on October 18. Not even 48 hours later, a second vessel was intercepted, from which the crew seized an additional 350 kilograms of meth ($140 million) and 50 kilograms of cocaine ($10 million). The dual seizures marked one of the largest drug interdictions under the CTF-150 of the CMF and resulted in $972 million drugs being taken out of the black market.
“[November’s] narcotics interdiction, the second such one in less than a month, has once again highlighted the vital role played by the Combined Maritime Forces through multinational collaboration,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander, CTF 150.
