ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces on Sunday said they had arrested four “of the most dangerous” drug dealers in the central Iraqi province of Najaf, coinciding with an ongoing effort to tackle drug trade in the country.
“The defendants were found in possession of a quantity of crystal narcotic substances and drug material,” state media said, citing a statement from the intelligence and security directorate in the defense ministry.
The rate of drug addicts and dealers has been on an alarming rise in Iraq in recent years, despite strict measures taken by the government to curb the phenomenon.
“One of them is a fugitive from the judiciary,” the statement added.
On Thursday, Iraqi security forces dismantled an internationally-linked drug network and seized over 20 kilograms of crystal meth.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has ordered the establishment of rehabilitation centers in all Iraqi provinces, excluding the Kurdistan Region, as part of his cabinet’s commitment to combat growing drug trade and use as seriously as the country fights terrorism.
In late October, Iraqi security forces busted two “dangerous” drug trafficking networks in Dhi Qar.
Over 16,000 people have been arrested on drug-related charges in Iraq since the start of 2023 and more than 3.5 tons of narcotics and 15 tons of psychotropic pills have been seized, according to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.
“The defendants were found in possession of a quantity of crystal narcotic substances and drug material,” state media said, citing a statement from the intelligence and security directorate in the defense ministry.
The rate of drug addicts and dealers has been on an alarming rise in Iraq in recent years, despite strict measures taken by the government to curb the phenomenon.
“One of them is a fugitive from the judiciary,” the statement added.
On Thursday, Iraqi security forces dismantled an internationally-linked drug network and seized over 20 kilograms of crystal meth.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has ordered the establishment of rehabilitation centers in all Iraqi provinces, excluding the Kurdistan Region, as part of his cabinet’s commitment to combat growing drug trade and use as seriously as the country fights terrorism.
In late October, Iraqi security forces busted two “dangerous” drug trafficking networks in Dhi Qar.
Over 16,000 people have been arrested on drug-related charges in Iraq since the start of 2023 and more than 3.5 tons of narcotics and 15 tons of psychotropic pills have been seized, according to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.
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