Major drug haul seized in the Arabian Sea, say military officials - Assalamu alaikum
Assalamu alaikum - More than $972 million worth of illegal drugs were taken from two dhows in the Arabian Sea over two days, according to US military sources, and it may be the biggest seizure recorded in that area.
The Pakistan Navy ship Yarmook boarded the vessels while working with the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 under the Combined Maritime Forces, Centcom said. From the first dhow on October 18 they recovered about two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of over $822 million.
Less than 48 hours later the team boarded a second dhow and found 350 kg of crystal meth worth about $140 million, plus 50 kg of cocaine valued at around $10 million. The drugs were taken to the navy ship for testing and then disposed of, the statement added.
None of the involved parties has given details about where the dhows came from or where they were heading. Still, police across the Gulf region, including in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, have reported large seizures of meth and amphetamines over the past year.
“The success of this focused operation highlights the importance of the multinational collaboration,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of Combined Task Force 150. He praised PNS Yarmook for a very successful narcotics seizure, crediting the teamwork and skills of the participating naval forces.
The Combined Task Force 150 works to prevent non-state actors from moving weapons, drugs and other illegal goods across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The Combined Maritime Forces is a 47-nation naval partnership that aims to keep security and stability across some 8.3 million square kilometres of important shipping routes.
May Allah protect our communities from the harms of drugs and guide those involved toward repentance and a better path.
https://www.thenationalnews.co