Aden -- Security forces from Yemen’s Giants Brigades have intercepted a smuggling vessel near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, uncovering a shipment of 600,000 Captagon pills, in what officials described as a major blow to regional narcotics trafficking.

The boat was seized during a routine maritime patrol off Yemen’s southwestern coast, where the Giants Brigades maintain a strong presence to counter smuggling and militant activity. According to military sources, the vessel was operating without proper identification and attempted to evade inspection before being stopped and searched.

Upon boarding, forces discovered large quantities of amphetamine-based Captagon tablets, concealed in hidden compartments. The crew was detained and transferred to security authorities for interrogation, while the narcotics were handed over for forensic analysis and destruction.

Captagon, a banned stimulant widely trafficked in the Middle East, has been linked to funding armed groups and fueling violence in conflict zones. The seizure near Bab al-Mandab—a vital international shipping lane—raises concerns about the growing use of Yemen’s coastal waters for drug smuggling operations.

Officials from the Giants Brigades emphasized their commitment to securing Yemen’s maritime borders and preventing the country from becoming a transit point for illicit substances. The operation also highlights the increasing role of local forces in combating transnational crime amid Yemen’s fragmented security landscape.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and intended destination of the shipment, as well as possible links to regional trafficking networks.