Part of ongoing crisis
Military intelligence in major Zumar drug bust
ZUMAR – In Zumar, military intelligence forces arrested a significant drug dealer, confiscating 87,500 narcotic pills hidden in cartons of pain-relief medication. The operation involved collaboration between the military intelligence and the Tal Afar narcotics directorate.
This arrest in Ninewa province underscores Iraq’s broader challenges with drug trafficking and abuse, amid rising concerns about narcotics’ impact on society.
Iraq faces a critical issue with drug addiction and trafficking, exacerbated by socio-economic factors and regional instability. The Supreme Council of the Judiciary reported a notable increase in drug-related arrests over recent years, highlighting the vulnerability of youth and the prevalence of drug use in impoverished areas.
Efforts to combat this include significant seizures by the Ministry of the Interior and strategic plans targeting traffickers.
Crystal meth use in Iraq has been labelled the ‘hidden epidemic’ by media, indicating the drug’s health risks and its spread among the population.
The nation’s counter-narcotics strategies have evolved, focusing on both law enforcement and rehabilitation.
Iraq and Syria’s ministers have discussed tackling cross-border drug trade, acknowledging Iraq’s role as a trafficking corridor and the need for regional cooperation to address the issue.
A recent and ongoing influx of Captagon pills produced in Syria has become another vector for the Iraqi authorities to deal with as it goes from being a transit country for trafficking to a target market in its own right.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani has emphasized a comprehensive approach to combat drug proliferation, including legal measures, social support, and a national strategy aiming through 2025 for a ‘drug-free Iraq’.
Iraqi national security advisor identifies drugs as major threat
