US Navy Seizes Heroin Worth USD 4 Million In Arabian Sea

US Navy seizes USD 4 million worth of heroin in Arabian Sea Dubai, Dec 30 (AP) United States navy vessels seized 385 kilograms (849 pounds) of heroin in the Arabian Sea worth some USD 4 million, in a major bust by the international maritime operation in the region, officials said Thursday.

The USS Tempest and USS Typhoon seized the drugs hidden aboard a stateless fishing vessel plying Mideast waters, the international task force said in a statement. The seizure took place on Monday.

The Navy said the



fishing vessel likely came from Iran. All nine crew members identified themselves as Iranian nationals, according to Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins, a spokesperson for the US Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet.

He did not elaborate on who manufactured the drugs or their ultimate destination.

As the task force ramps up regional patrols, it has confiscated illegal drugs worth over USD 193 million during operations at sea this year — more than the amount of drugs seized in the last four years combined, its statement said.