Nearly One Ton of Narcotics Seized Off Yemen Near Bab Al-Mandab Strait

Yemeni Forces confiscated one ton of narcotics from a boat in a maritime operation off the coast of Ras Al Arah, near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is a strategic shipping corridor connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

The packages were hidden in the cargo hold and included methamphetamine, hashish, and heroin, meant to be supplied to nearby countries in the region.

Officials tracked the smuggling vessel for many hours before launching an interception 30 nm offshore. Security forces subdued the criminals before securing the shipment without any casualties.

Four individuals were arrested and sent to the authorities for investigation, and the drugs were taken for forensic analysis.

Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri called the bust a major victory against the transnational criminal networks and stated the need for constant vigilance along the Yemeni coastlines. He added that drugs pose a threat no deadly than war as they finance armed groups.

Analysts note that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is being exploited by criminal organisations due to the high ship traffic and limited law enforcement capacity in the area.

However, Yemeni forces have increased naval patrols to counter the increase in illegal maritime activities in its waters.

Source: Maritime Shipping News