In Baghdad, Najaf

Iraqi authorities arrest seven suspected drug dealers

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Defense Ministry on Tuesday announced the arrest of seven suspected drug dealers in Baghdad and Najaf, underscoring a proactive stance against narcotics trafficking in the region.

According to a ministry statement, operations conducted by the General Directorate of Intelligence and Security led to the capture of five individuals in Baghdad. “Field monitoring and intelligence efforts across the capital facilitated these arrests,” the statement noted. All suspects were apprehended under warrants issued according to Article 28 of the Anti-Narcotics Law, with authorities seizing narcotic pills, drug paraphernalia, and light weapons.

In Najaf, two additional suspects were detained under similar circumstances. The accused have been handed over to relevant authorities for further legal proceedings.

Iraq has traditionally been a transit hub for drugs originating from Iran and Pakistan and destined for Gulf states. However, the country has recently emerged as a destination for narcotics, including crystal meth smuggled from Afghanistan and Iran, and Captagon pills from Syria, as stated by Khaled Al-Mahna, Director of Communications and Media at Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports a significant uptick in drug trafficking and consumption in Iraq over the last five years. In the first half of 2024 alone, Iraqi forces seized nearly two tons of various narcotics and arrested approximately 8,000 individuals linked to drug trafficking.

Highlighting the severity of drug-related offenses, the Central Criminal Court in Baghdad recently sentenced seven individuals, including a foreign national, to death for drug trafficking. Another dealer received a life sentence from the Babil Criminal Court for possessing and intending to sell narcotics, including crystal meth.

The Second Baghdad International Conference on Combating Drugs, featuring representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, further demonstrates the regional commitment to curbing this pervasive issue.

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