Yemen's government on Tuesday pledged a renewed crackdown on smuggling, with the Higher Committee for Combating Smuggling, chaired by Prime Minister Salem Bin Brik, meeting in Aden. The committee stressed the need to prioritize efforts against illicit trade, including currency, goods, and fuel, citing their severe impact on economic stability and public safety.
 
According to the official Saba News Agency, the committee reviewed reports from the Defense and Interior Ministries on anti-smuggling operations, including intercepts of drugs and weapons bound for Houthi forces. Prime Minister Bin Brik called for enhanced inter-agency coordination and warned of "no leniency" for smuggling networks, vowing decisive legal action. He also ordered corrections for irregularities at key ports, including Aden Airport and the Al-Wadea crossing.
The Customs Authority reported over 246 seizures in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, highlighting improved efforts and training.

Massive Drug Haul in Aden
In a related development, the Southern Transitional Council-affiliated Security Belt Forces announced a significant drug bust in Aden. They intercepted a large shipment of 646,290 Pregabalin narcotic pills – one of the largest recent seizures – intended for the city.
Brigadier General Jalal Al-Rubaie, Security Belt commander in Aden, stated the operation involved tracking a suspicious vehicle from its entry point to Dar Saad district, where it was apprehended. The pills, with a concentration of 300 mg, were packed in 12 cartons. Preliminary investigations suggest the shipment was smuggled by sea, aiming to destabilize Aden. Authorities have identified a primary suspect and are working to apprehend them.