Yemeni customs officials, in collaboration with security forces, seized 800 Chinese-made drone propellers at the Sarfit border crossing in Al-Mahra province on Monday, according to the Saba news agency.

The intercepted propellers, manufactured by Gifman, are described as three-bladed, with a power capacity of approximately 1050 watts, and constructed from fiberglass and carbon fiber.
Ahmed Bakrit, Director-General of Sarfit Customs, stated that the seizure is part of ongoing efforts to combat smuggling, in accordance with Yemeni customs law. He emphasized the national security risks associated with prohibited goods and reiterated the commitment to intercepting items that pose a threat to regional and international stability.
The Sarfit border point has been identified as a key route for the smuggling of prohibited goods, including drones and weapons, allegedly destined for the Iran-backed Houthi group. Reports, including those from the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, have indicated that entities within Oman have been linked to the supply of weapon system components to the Houthis, despite Oman's official neutrality in the Yemeni conflict.
In February 2023, the UN Security Council expanded its arms embargo to include the entire Houthi group, aiming to curtail their access to smuggled supplies, particularly those originating from Iran.