Archive · 25 Oct 2025
Pakistan's Makran Coast: A Hub for Drug Trafficking
Imagine a secret highway at sea where bad guys are sending drugs.
This highway runs along Pakistan's coast, using small boats and big ships called dhows.
These boats carry drugs like heroin and a new drug called meth.
They sail to places like the Arabian Sea.
Navies from different countries are trying to catch them, seizing a lot of drugs.
The drug money causes problems like local corruption.
Pakistan says it's trying to stop this, but the evidence suggests some people there are involved.
If this continues, the drug highway will become even bigger and more difficult to stop.
The Makran coast of Pakistan is a key route for drug trafficking via dhows.
Heroin, hashish, and methamphetamine are the primary drugs transported.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and other international partners are actively interdicting drug shipments.
The route is lucrative, with high-value shipments seized regularly.
Complicity by local networks and geography make this route difficult to control.
- Who
- Drug traffickers and various naval forces.
- What
- Drug trafficking operations.
- When
- Ongoing for over a decade, with increased activity in recent years.
- Where
- Makran Coast of Pakistan, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman.
- Why
- Lucrative market for narcotics, aided by geography and complicity.
Pakistani Authorities' Stance
Reality of the Situation
Complicity
Pakistani Authorities' Stance
Pakistan claims to be a victim of drug transit flows.
Reality of the Situation
Operational evidence shows deep involvement by local networks.
- Location
- Makran Coast of Pakistan
- Primary Drugs
- Heroin, Hashish, Methamphetamine
- Vessels Used
- Dhows and Skiffs
- Key Route
- Makran Coast to Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
- Interdiction Partners
- Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), US Coast Guard
- Notable Interdictions
- HMS Lancaster seized nearly 2 tons of drugs in April 2024
- Estimated Value of Seizures
- Up to $1 billion (US Central Command estimate)