Drone cavity filled with drugs
Iraqi authorities arrest two in aerial drug smuggling operation
DIWANIYAH — Iraqi authorities on Monday arrested two people in Diwaniyah for allegedly using drones to smuggle narcotics, highlighting a growing trend of drug trafficking within the country.
The Interior Ministry said the suspects used four drones to transport narcotics hidden inside small containers.
“In an effort to curb the rising trend of narcotics usage and trafficking, particularly among the youth, a specialized operation was carried out,” the ministry said in a statement. The operation involved the Directorate of Narcotics Control and Psychotropic Substances and the Diwaniyah Intelligence Directorate.
Iraq, which had been primarily a transit country for drugs from Iran and Pakistan destined for Gulf states, has become a destination in recent years. This shift has led to a more complex and dangerous drug trade environment, challenging Iraqi authorities.
The suspects were found with four drones, crystal meth, a handgun, and other items.
Iraq enforces severe penalties for drug trafficking, including long prison sentences and, in extreme cases, the death penalty. The Central Criminal Court in Baghdad recently sentenced seven individuals, including a foreign national, to death for drug importation and exportation. Similarly, the Babil Criminal Court sentenced a drug dealer to life in prison after finding him with crystal meth and other narcotics intended for sale.
The types of drugs most commonly trafficked include crystal meth and Captagon, a potent amphetamine. Notably, crystal meth, which had been smuggled in from Iran, is now produced domestically, especially in the southern governorates of Basra and Maysan. This production is allegedly overseen by networks linked to influential political and tribal groups, as well as militias.
Despite intensified efforts and international cooperation to combat drug trafficking, challenges persist. These efforts include specialized training for law enforcement on surveillance and investigative techniques aimed at targeting major traffickers rather than just low-level dealers.
In 2024, the Anti-Narcotics Directorate reported arresting 6,000 suspects and confiscating 10 tons of various drugs. In the previous year, authorities arrested 144 international drug traffickers, seized four tons of narcotics, 15 tons of psychotropic substances, 1,700 firearms, and 1,200 vehicles.
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