A Seychellois among eight arrested for drug smuggling in North Arabian Sea |09 March 2022

A Seychellois is said to be among eight smugglers arrested in the North Arabian Sea by the Pakistani maritime authorities who seized over 600 kilograms of narcotics from them.

According to the Arab News of Pakistan, the arrests were made in a “joint intelligence-based counter-narcotics operation” conducted by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and the Pakistan Customs Preventive.

The other seven smugglers are said to be Iranian nationals.

“During the operation, eight foreign smugglers were apprehended in the North Arabian Sea and approximately 658 kilograms of narcotics were recovered from a stateless boat,” the PMSA statement read.

It said the consignment was worth over US $33.7 million in the illicit drug market.

“The seized narcotics along with smugglers have been handed over to Pakistan Customs Preventive for further investigation and legal proceedings including investigation of involvement of any of the apprehended individual or group in other anti-state activities and completion of legal formalities,” the PMSA said.

The agency said the “successful operation” resulting in the seizure of narcotics was a testament to the fact that Pakistan was vigilant and remained committed in preventing the use of its waters for any unlawful act.

“Pakistan Maritime Security Agency will continue to shoulder its national obligations and responsibility to establish lawful and order at sea,” it added.