ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities launched an anti-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, said an official statement, and seized a huge quantity of illicit drugs amounting to nearly Rs15 billion ($64.8 million) in the international market.
Pakistan has mostly seized narcotics at its border crossings with Afghanistan in recent months, though its naval forces and maritime personnel have also kept a check on the unlawful trade in the country’s territorial waters.
According to the media wing of the Pakistan Navy, a similar operation was jointly conducted by naval officials, maritime security agency and collectorate of customs enforcement in the sea in which 1,450 kilograms of drugs were seized on the basis of intelligence information.
“During the successful joint operation, security forces apprehended largest amount of narco in-terms of quantity that included 586 Kg of Ice crystal and 864 Kg of heroin,” the statement said. “The seized narco is valued approximately Rs 15 Billion in International market. The arrested smugglers and drug cache were handed over to Custom authorities for legal proceedings.”
The statement further maintained the operation reflected the commitment of Pakistani authorities “to deny illegal activities in maritime zones of Pakistan and synergize efforts of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies in ensuring security of our waters.”
