Seizure of narcotics worth 1 billion dollars – The Combined Task Force (CTF 150) set a new seizure record within 48 hours.
The Combined Task Force (CTF 150) once again demonstrated its determination in tackling illegal activities in the waters of the Middle East. This international task force, which is under Saudi Arabian command, seized narcotics worth $972.4 million during two operations in the Arabian Sea, in just 48 hours.
During an operation codenamed Al Masmak, the Pakistani warship Yarmook conducted two operations on two dhow vessels carrying a massive quantity of narcotics. CTF reports that neither vessel had an AIS, while their nationality remains unknown.
During the first operation, conducted on October 18, the crew of the Pakistani offshore patrol vessel boarded the first dhow and seized over two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), the value of which is estimated at $822.4 million. Less than forty-eight hours later, the same crew boarded a second dhow and seized 350 kg of crystal methamphetamine worth $140 million and 50 kg of cocaine worth $10 million.
The narcotics were transferred to the Yarmook for inspection, to verify the contents, and were subsequently discarded at sea. These two seizures took place shortly after the start of operation Al Masmak by CTF on October 16, which relied on multinational coordination to enhance regional security and maritime safety.
Saudi Arabia has taken over the coordination of the operation, which is carried out through the naval assets of Pakistan, France, Spain, and the USA, with the Yarmook, launched in 2020, being one of the leading vessels. The vessel is capable of a wide spectrum of naval operations, including anti-air warfare, search and rescue, and maritime surveillance.
The detection of this quantity of narcotics took place a few days after another Pakistani naval ship, the Yamama, seized 155 kg of methamphetamine and 65 kg of cocaine worth over $120 million during a routine patrol in the Arabian Sea on September 28.
“The success of this targeted operation underscores the importance of multinational cooperation,” stated the Commodore of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Fahad Aljoiad, commander of CTF 150. “PNS Yarmook had one of the most successful narcotics seizures for the CMF, which is directly attributed to the expertise and cooperation of our naval forces within the organization.”
The mission of CTF 150 is vital in addressing narcotics trafficking in the so-called “Hash Highway,” which covers the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf of Oman. The task force is committed to preventing and disrupting the ability of cartels and criminals to traffic weapons, narcotics, and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean.
Saudi Arabia assumed command of CTF 150, one of the five operational task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), in August.
The CMF is the largest multinational naval cooperation in the world, in which 46 nations participate committed to maintaining international order at sea, which is based on international rules.
This is achieved through the promotion of security, stability and prosperity in approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which include some of the most important shipping lanes in the world.
The presence of these naval forces is evident to those traveling in the Indian Ocean, as through VHF the warships are constantly heard requesting various information from the commercial ships.
