Aden –  Yemeni joint security forces successfully carried out a maritime operation off the coast of Ras Al-Arah, seizing approximately one ton of narcotics concealed aboard a smuggling boat.

The operation, led by units from the Second Giants Brigade and coordinated with local naval patrols, took place near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, a vital shipping corridor linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. According to security officials, the seized substances included methamphetamine, hashish, and heroin, packed in hundreds of parcels hidden within the vessel’s cargo hold.

Intelligence gathering and surveillance played a key role in the success of the operation. Authorities tracked the suspect vessel for several hours before executing a coordinated interception approximately 20 nautical miles offshore. Armed clashes briefly erupted during the boarding, but security forces subdued the smugglers and secured the shipment without casualties.

Four individuals aboard the vessel were arrested and transferred to judicial authorities for investigation. The confiscated drugs are undergoing forensic analysis, and officials suspect the shipment was intended for distribution across multiple countries in the region.

Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, commander of the Second Giants Brigade, described the bust as a “significant victory against transnational criminal networks”, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance along Yemen’s vulnerable coastlines. He warned that drug trafficking poses a threat “no less deadly than war,” especially as it fuels instability and finances armed groups.

Security analysts note that the Bab al-Mandab strait has become increasingly exploited by smugglers due to its high traffic and limited enforcement capacity. Yemeni forces have recently intensified naval patrols and intelligence coordination to counter the surge in illicit maritime activity.

This operation underscores the growing regional cooperation to combat drug trafficking and highlights Yemen’s strategic role in securing maritime routes amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges.