KARACHI: Over 1.4 tonnes of crystal meth, commonly known as ice, and heroin were recovered during a joint intelligence-based action in North Arabian Sea, Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday.

It said that the joint operation was carried out by the navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Collectorate of Customs Enforcement.

Security forces claimed to have seized what they described as the largest quantity of drugs — 1,450 kilograms — that included 586 kilograms of ‘ice’ and 864kg of heroin.

The seized drugs are valued approximately Rs15 billion in the international market.

The navy didn’t mention the number of held suspects and said the “arrested smugglers and drug cache handed over to custom authorities for legal proceedings”.

It said the joint anti-narcotics operation reaffirmed the resolve to deny illegal activities in maritime zones of Pakistan and to synergise efforts of maritime law enforcement agencies in ensuring security of our waters.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2023