Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Pakistan Navy (PN) have seized a large quantity of liquor during a smuggling attempt from international sea routes. Smugglers tried to capsize the ship and escape using speedboats.
Director General PMSA Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman addressed a media briefing at MSA Headquarters yesterday. Senior officials of Pakistan Customs were also present.
Rear Admiral Zaka told the media that the security elements of Pakistan Maritime security agency (PMSA) and Pakistan Navy (PN) have apprehended a large quantity of liquor being smuggled from international sea routes.
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“The operation was carried out while undertaking Maritime Security Operations in Pakistan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The successful seizure of liquor was an outcome of a coordinated and complex operation involving persistent surveillance and patrolling in the area,” Zaka added.
The rear admiral informed that a total of 9,392 liquor bottles and 45,218 beer cans, with a market value of approximately 70 million rupees, were seized in the joint operations.
“The smugglers were very vigilant and when they saw that PMSA and PN ships were surroundings them in the open sea, they made a hole in the ship to sink it. They planned to escape the EEZ using speedboats,” Zaka added.
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Zaka told the media that the smugglers escaped but PMSA and PN officials successfully seized the liquor from the sinking ship. The apprehended liquor has been handed over to Pakistan Customs for further legal proceedings.
Spokesperson PN added that Pakistan Navy Ship ASLAT also sized 5000 kg Hashish in Feb 2018 during an operation in the North Arabian Sea, which was also valued in millions of dollars.
PMSA, being the law enforcement agency in Pakistan Exclusive Economic Zone, maintains a near-permanent presence at the sea with its ships and aircraft to stop illegal activities.
Wow. A good deal of supply of liquor for PN faujis for next couple of months : )