KARACHI: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday that they had averted smuggling of narcotics in a joint intelligence based counter narcotics operation by seizing

According to a statement, during the operation, seven smugglers, including six foreigners, were apprehended in North Arabian Sea and approximately 460kg narcotics was recovered from a stateless boat. The value of narcotics in international market is estimated at Rs 4.4 billion.

The seized narcotics along with smugglers have been handed over to Anti-Narcotics Force 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.

“Successful operation by PMSA and ANF resulting in seizure of narcotics is a testament to the fact that we are vigilant and remains committed in preventing use of Pakistani waters for any unlawful act/ purposes. PMSA will continue to shoulder its national obligations and responsibility to establish lawful order at sea,” said a top security official.