The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Monday seized large quantity of drugs in a successful anti-narcotics operation in the sea. In a media briefing over the anti-narcotics operation, Deputy Director General PMSA said that in a joint operation with Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Customs in the sea 207 kilograms of crystal ice and 227 KG heroin was recovered from a boat. The approximate value of the seized drugs in the international market is Rs 16.3 billion, Deputy D.G. PMSA said in the briefing. In November last year, the Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) and Pakistan Army in a joint operation had seized huge quantity of narcotics in Balochistan worth Rs17.275 billion. According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Coast Guards, the action was carried out in Pasni’s area of Shadi Kaur. The seized drugs included 101 kilogrammes of crystal meth and 2700 kilogrammes of hashish that could sell for Rs17.275 billion in the international market.The recovered drugs were seized in the hills of the Shadi Kaur, Pasni, from where it was to be smuggled abroad through sea, but the bid was foiled by the PCG and Pakistan Army. In a successful intelligence-based counter narcotics operation by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Pakistan Customs at high sea last year, two fishing boats namely Al-Muhammadi and Al-Mobeen along with 16 crew members were apprehended. A huge cache of narcotics which includes 2,410kg hashish, 133kg brown crystal and 181 kg ice crystal were recovered from the apprehended vessels which was kept inside specially constructed hidden compartments of the boats. The value of narcotics in International market is estimated to be Rs14.66 billion. Afterwards, the seized narcotics were handed over to Pakistan Customs authorities for further legal proceedings. Successful joint operation by PMSA and Pakistan Customs resulting in seizure of narcotics is a testament to the fact PMSA is more vigilant to counter them even in COVID-19 epidemic environment and remains committed in preventing use of Pakistani maritime zones for any unlawful act/purpose.
