MANAMA (BAHRAIN): The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has extended its congratulations to the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) and the Pakistan Navy for the successful interdiction of more than $972 million worth of illicit narcotics during a high-intensity maritime operation in the Arabian Sea.
In a statement posted on its official account on X (formerly Twitter), CENTCOM praised the operation, which unfolded over a 48-hour period and involved Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yarmook conducting two meticulously executed boarding and search operations on suspicious dhows.
The seizures resulted from precise intelligence coordination and demonstrated the Pakistan Navy’s growing expertise in maritime interdiction operations.
The successful mission was conducted under the framework of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) — an international coalition committed to ensuring maritime security, stability, and freedom of navigation across some of the world’s most critical sea lanes.
The confiscated narcotics — comprising large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and hashish — represent one of the largest maritime drug seizures in the region’s history.
CENTCOM lauded the joint effort of the Pakistan Navy and CTF-150, emphasizing that the operation reflects “the strength of multinational cooperation in countering criminal and terrorist networks that exploit the maritime domain for illicit trafficking.”
The command further noted that such achievements highlight the continuing importance of regional partnerships in upholding international law and deterring transnational threats.
Headquartered in Bahrain, the Combined Maritime Forces is an alliance of 39 nations united in combating terrorism, piracy, and smuggling across the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean.
The recent interdiction reaffirms the CMF’s role as a cornerstone of global maritime security and underscores Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to international peacekeeping efforts.
Officials described the seizure as a major strategic success, disrupting the flow of narcotics funding to organized crime and extremist networks, while also reinforcing confidence in the effectiveness of multinational maritime cooperation.
