KARACHI: The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and the Pakistan Customs in two joint operations have arrested several suspected smugglers and recovered drugs worth millions of rupees, said a statement on Monday.

Sharing details of the operations conducted last week, the statement said that on Sept 27, the anti-smuggling agencies spotted a suspicious boat in the Arabian Sea on intelligence-based information.

“To avoid legal consequences, the crew of the boat set it ablaze and jumped into the sea,” said the statement.“The PMSA ship prioritised saving of lives and all crew members of the boat were rescued promptly.”

It said that despite the smugglers’ attempt to destroy the evidence by sinking the boat, the PMSA unit was able to recover drugs thrown in the sea and apprehended the culprits red-handed.

As a result of the successful operation, it said, eight suspects were arrested and around 15-kg crystal ice worth Rs45 million was recovered.

The seized narcotics have been handed over to the Pakistan Customs for further legal proceedings, it added.

In another operation in Gwadar, the statement said, the PMSA ship intercepted a suspicious boat at high seas within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistani waters. As the boat was boarded and searched, around 28-kg hashish was found in its hidden compartments.

“The boat along with four crew members were apprehended. The value of seized narcotics is estimated to be Rs4 million,” said the statement.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2022