Iraq Dismantles 230 International and Local Drug Trafficking Networks

Iraq 09:23 AM - 2024-12-26

40,000 Drug Dealers and Possessors Arrested by Iraq's Security Forces.

The Head of the Strategic Centre for Human Rights, Dr. Fadhil Al-Gharawi, confirmed that the General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs, along with other federal security agencies, successfully arrested and detained 40,000 individuals involved in drug-related crimes over the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.

He further noted that the Narcotics Affairs Directorate within the Ministry of the Interior had managed to dismantle 230 international and local drug trafficking networks in Iraq during 2023 and 2024.

 

Arrests and Seizures:

2022:
According to the Narcotics Affairs Directorate's statistics, the year 2022 saw the following arrests:

1. Detainees: Approximately 14,000 individuals were arrested on charges of drug trafficking and possession, including 123 foreign drug dealers.

2. Seizures: Authorities confiscated about 18 million narcotic pills and destroyed five tonnes of drugs.

2023:
In 2023, the figures rose as follows:

1. Detainees: The number of those arrested reached 19,000 people involved in drug-related crimes.

2. Seizures: Authorities seized 12 tonnes of drugs, destroyed 2 tonnes and 118 kilograms, and confiscated around 5 million narcotic pills.

2024
In 2024, the arrests and seizures continued:

1. Detainees: Approximately 7,000 individuals involved in drug crimes were arrested, including 90 international drug dealers and 221 local traffickers.

2. Seizures: More than 1.5 tonnes of narcotic substances were seized, along with 24 million Captagon pills, valued at $84 million.

Dr. al-Gharawi stressed that Iraq has made significant efforts to combat drug trafficking over the past three years, particularly through the seizure and destruction of substantial quantities of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

 

Drug Destruction by Year:

2022:
-Destroyed substances: Around 5,000 tonnes of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
- Narcotic pills: 54 million pills destroyed.
- Ampoules: 31,000 ampoules destroyed.
- Bottles: 9,000 bottles of various narcotics were destroyed.

2023:
-Destroyed substances: 2,118 kg and 386 grams of narcotic and psychotropic substances were destroyed.
-Narcotic pills: 4,934,132 pills destroyed.

2024:
- Destroyed substances: 42,322,380 kg, 322 grams, and 390 milligrams of various narcotics and psychotropic substances were destroyed.
- Narcotic pills: 772 pills destroyed.

Dr. al-Gharawi also highlighted that crystal meth is the most commonly used drug in Iraq, accounting for 37.3% of cases, followed by Captagon at 34.35%. In comparison, other substances make up the remaining 28.35%.

He called on the government to strengthen regional and international cooperation, enhance awareness and rehabilitation programmes for addicts through clinics meeting international standards, and improve security measures to address evolving smuggling and trafficking methods. Additionally, he recommended revising the Anti-Narcotics Law to impose harsher penalties on drug dealers, launching a public awareness campaign about the dangers of drugs, and adopting a national strategy to combat drug trafficking.

 

Praising the Efforts of the Sulaymaniyah Narcotics Directorate

Hussein al-Tamimi, Director of Media and Relations at the General Directorate for Narcotics Affairs at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, praised the significant contributions of the General Directorate for Combating Narcotics in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

Al-Tamimi told PUKMEDIA that there is excellent coordination and cooperation between the General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs in the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Anti-Narcotics Directorate in Sulaymaniyah.

He added, "Thanks to this collaboration, we have made remarkable progress, with large quantities of drugs being seized. The Sulaymaniyah Narcotics Directorate has been diligent and proactive in dismantling significant drug networks before they could spread."

He explained that the Sulaymaniyah Directorate's efforts, in close cooperation with their federal counterparts, have been crucial in intercepting drug trafficking before it escalates. He emphasised that when drugs are confiscated early, it undermines the criminal enterprise, and efforts will continue in partnership to combat drug-related crimes.



PUKMEDIA