Arabian Sea Raid Nets Narcotics, Liquor Exceeding Rs1 Billio

In a sweeping operation on July 14, 2025, Pakistan’s maritime and law enforcement agencies seized narcotics and illicit liquor valued at over Rs1 billion in the Arabian Sea, dealing a blow to smuggling networks. This article explores the operation’s success, its implications for regional security, and the challenges of combating illegal trade.

The joint effort, involving the Pakistan Navy (PN), Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC), and the Narcotics Control Wing of Sindh’s Excise and Taxation Department, targeted smuggling routes in the Arabian Sea. Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, addressing a press conference in Karachi, revealed that authorities confiscated 100 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), 550 kilograms of hashish, and 2,100 bottles of foreign liquor. “These deadly substances could’ve harmed countless lives,” Chawla said, estimating the haul’s international market value at Rs5–7 billion. The operation began with surveillance and maritime patrols, leading to the interception of a stateless vessel carrying the contraband, followed by a separate intelligence-based operation (IBO) uncovering the liquor stash.

The seizure underscores Pakistan’s resolve to curb transnational narcotics trafficking, a scourge conservatives view as destabilizing societies and fueling crime. The PMSA highlighted the operation’s success as a result of real-time intelligence and seamless coordination, with all confiscated items handed over to Sindh’s Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department for further investigation. A PMSA spokesperson noted, “This represents a major disruption to smuggling networks operating in the region.” However, posts on X, like one from @RealPakWatch, question whether such operations address root causes, arguing that lax border controls and corruption enable these networks to thrive.

Pakistan’s strategic location near the Golden Crescent makes it a hotspot for drug trafficking, with maritime routes increasingly exploited. Conservatives argue for stronger enforcement and policy reforms to safeguard national security and public health, criticizing bureaucratic inefficiencies that allow smugglers to persist. As authorities celebrate this victory, the fight against illicit trade demands sustained vigilance to protect communities from the devastating impact of drugs and unregulated liquor.