Operation in open sea, PMSA arrests 12 smugglers, recovers narcotics

KARACHI: In an operation in open sea, 12 smugglers have been nabbed and narcotics worth Rs. one billion recovered.

This was announced in a statement of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) here on Tuesday.

It said that on the instructions of Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Rear Admiral Jameel Akhtar, a joint team of PMSA and Customs Intelligence conducted an operation in the open sea and arrested 12 smugglers. They also recovered 100 kilograms of white crystal narcotics worth Rs, one billion.

The statement said that PMSA and Customs Intelligence conducted a joint operation in the open sea for five hours and confiscated a suspicious launch and arrested 12 smugglers.

On search of the launch, 100 kilograms of white crystal narcotics worth Rs. 1,000 million were recovered from its hidden compartments.

This drug is in high demand in the USA, Europe, South Africa and other countries, it was further pointed out.

In the operation more than half dozen boats including the fast response boat of the PMSA took part.

PMSA's Lt Commander Wajid Nawaz said the PMSA and Customs intelligence had got spy information that some smugglers would try to operate in the open sea, on which they beefed up surveillance in the suspected area.

Last night they spotted a suspicious launch and began an operation and arrested the smugglers who have already been handed over along with the recovered narcotics to the Pakistan Customs intelligence for further investigation.

He said that PMSA is fully alert to defend the maritime limits of Pakistan and to uproot the menace of marine smuggling. He said the safety of the coastal areas and the CPEC installations is our priority.

Director Customs Intelligence Feroze Junejo said that we are always ready to face smugglers and other anti-social elements. He said that PMSA and Customs have already conducted many successful joint operations and in future such activities would also remain continued.

On the occasion, Captain Atiqur Rehman of the PMSA was also present.