PNS Yarmook seizes $96 million in narcotics in two Arabian Sea operations
PNS Yarmook seizes $96 million in narcotics in two Arabian Sea operations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook has carried out two successful counter-narcotics operations in the Arabian Sea, seizing drugs worth about $96 million, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday. The Pakistan Navy narcotics seizure ranks among the largest drug busts at sea this year.
During the operations, naval teams intercepted two dhows and recovered about 850 kilograms of crystal meth, known as Ice, and 2,000 kilograms of hashish and cannabis from concealed compartments inside the vessels, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The seized narcotics were taken into custody and will be handed over to the authorities concerned for disposal and legal proceedings, the statement added.
How the operation unfolded
PNS Yarmook was operating in the Arabian Sea when it detected the two suspect dhows. Boarding teams searched both vessels and found the drugs hidden in specially built compartments, a method traffickers use to evade detection during routine inspections at sea.
The ISPR did not say whether any crew members were detained or give details of where the dhows had sailed from. Such details usually emerge once the case passes to civilian anti-narcotics agencies, which take charge of the legal process after the Navy hands over the seized material.
Second Pakistan Navy narcotics seizure in two months
The operation continues a busy run for the Navy’s counter-narcotics effort. Last month, PNS Hunain and PNS Yarmook seized more than 2,800 kilograms of narcotics worth about $750 million during a joint operation in the Arabian Sea. In that case, the ships were on routine patrol when they intercepted a suspicious boat and recovered the drugs from hidden compartments during a boarding operation.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the officers and crew after that operation, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to maritime security and the fight against illicit trafficking at sea.
Why the Arabian Sea route matters
The Arabian Sea sits on a well-documented trafficking corridor. Narcotics produced in the region are moved by sea towards markets in the Gulf, Africa and beyond, with dhows and small craft used to slip past coastal patrols. Pakistan’s Navy has stepped up interdictions in recent years, working both independently and alongside multinational task forces.
Each seizure dents the finances of trafficking networks, since the street value of the drugs far exceeds their production cost. The $96 million valuation reflects international market prices for crystal meth and cannabis products.
What happens next
The Navy will transfer the seized drugs and case material to the Anti-Narcotics Force and other concerned agencies, which will pursue prosecution under Pakistan’s narcotics laws. Further details on arrests and the origin of the shipment are expected once the investigation moves to the civilian side.
For more on Pakistan’s recent counter-narcotics operations, read our coverage of the security forces’ operations against terrorists in K-P and Balochistan and the prime minister’s meeting on rising terrorism in K-P.
FAQs
How much were the seized narcotics worth?
About $96 million, according to the ISPR statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
What drugs did PNS Yarmook recover?
Around 850 kilograms of crystal meth (Ice) and 2,000 kilograms of hashish and cannabis, recovered from concealed compartments aboard two intercepted dhows.
What happens to the seized drugs now?
They were taken into Navy custody and will be handed over to the authorities concerned for disposal and legal proceedings.
