MANAMA, Bahrain (Jan. 8, 2026) –Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, a Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) maritime security task force, broke its own record for the highest amount of meth ever seized, according to Regional Narcotics Interagency Fusion Cell (RNIFC) pricing, during two back-to-back counter-narcotics naval operations conducted in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.

The most significant operation occurred Oct. 18 when the Pakistan Navy, operating under a Saudi-led CTF 150, seized more than two tons of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and 50 kg of cocaine in the North Arabian Sea, with an estimated regional wholesale value of more than USD $157 million. Then, a second large haul of ICE happened in November, estimated to be worth more than USD $130 million, making it the second largest meth seizure in the history of CMF and CTF 150.

“The success of CTF 150’s operations throughout 2025 is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the mission, and deals a major blow to the funding of terrorist and criminal organizations,” said Royal Navy Commodore Ben Aldous, deputy commander, Combined Maritime Forces. “We are sending a clear message to smugglers that we will not tolerate the use of the high seas for their illicit activities. Every seizure we make is a setback to the criminal and terrorist organizations that profit from this destructive trade.”

Following the two historic interdictions, two French Navy frigates, operating in direct support of CTF 150, conducted nine separate boarding operations, and seized more than 16 tons of ICE and hash, with a combined value of more than USD $142 million from multiple vessels in the Arabian Sea, bringing the fiscal year 2026 first quarter illicit drug seizures total to be estimated at more than USD $333.5 million.

Prior to October, under the rotating command of member nations New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, CTF 150 conducted numerous, successful counter-narcotics operations in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, resulting in the seizure of more than 30 metric tons of illicit drugs, including ICE, heroin and cocaine.

Other notable seizures in 2025 include a more than USD $36 million interdiction of heroin, hashish and amphetamine by a New Zealand-led task force with the Royal Navy Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster (F229) in May, as well as several other multi-million dollar drug busts throughout the year.

Counter-narcotics operations in 2025 built on the successful seizures accomplished by the French Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Pakistan Navy during fiscal year 2024, when CTF 150 seized more than 12 tons of methamphetamine, 21.6 tons of hashish, and 3.7 tons of heroin, estimated at $386 million.

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under CMF, the world’s largest international naval
partnership. CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Combined Maritime Forces is a 47-nation naval partnership upholding the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.