Islamabad, October 22, 2025: The Pakistani Navy, operating under the Saudi-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), has seized narcotics worth nearly $1 billion from two vessels in the Arabian Sea, officials said on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the CMF, the Pakistani naval personnel intercepted two dhows in separate operations conducted over a 48-hour period last week, recovering drugs valued at approximately $972 million.
During the first operation, carried out on October 18, the crew boarded a dhow and seized more than two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) with an estimated street value of $822.4 million. Less than two days later, a second operation led to the recovery of 350 kilograms of ICE worth $140 million and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $10 million.
The CMF said both vessels were determined to be “without nationality,” but did not disclose their ports of origin or intended destinations.
The seizures were made in support of Combined Task Force 150 — a Saudi-led component of the CMF focused on maritime security and counter-narcotics operations. Saudi Navy Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, who commands the task force, described the busts as “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” emphasizing the value of multinational cooperation in combating maritime crime.
Comprising 47 nations, the CMF is responsible for monitoring and securing over 3.2 million square miles of international waters — including key global shipping lanes — to curb terrorism, piracy, and smuggling activities.
In a separate statement, the Pakistani Navy hailed the operation as a testament to its “unwavering commitment to regional maritime security, global peace, and the collective fight against illicit trafficking at sea.”
