Iraqi authorities dismantle international Captagon trafficking network in Basra

BASRA — Iraq’s General Directorate of Drug Affairs announced Sunday the dismantling of an international drug trafficking network operating in Basra, locally referred to as a “soft death network.” The operation resulted in the arrest of four traffickers, including one foreign national, and the seizure of 170 kilograms of the narcotic Captagon.

“Following judicial orders from the Central Investigative Court in Rusafa, we have struck a significant blow to international drug traffickers, inflicting further major losses on them.

A specialized task force from the main headquarters’ Special Investigations Department conducted the raid, acting on intelligence-led directives. The Directorate confirmed it is pursuing other “soft death” networks in several governorates, reaffirming its vigilance in combating drug trafficking.

This operation follows a significant bust in Anbar on Oct. 17, 2024, when Iraqi National Security Service units seized 500,000 Captagon pills concealed in a vegetable shipment from a neighboring country. Anbar, which shares borders with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, is a known hub for smuggling activities.

A recent UN report highlighted Iraq’s growing Captagon challenge. While the country faces lower trafficking levels compared to its neighbors, substantial quantities flow in from Syria and Lebanon. Captagon seizures in Iraq tripled in 2023, with total drug seizures increasing 34-fold since 2019.

Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari recently announced the dismantling of a Captagon production site in Sulaymaniyah and efforts to prevent the establishment of additional factories. Authorities have also apprehended key traffickers sheltering in neighboring countries.

Since the start of 2024, Iraqi authorities have arrested nearly 8,000 individuals on drug-related charges and seized approximately 2.2 tons of various narcotics. The Directorate’s recent operations underscore its commitment to tackling drug trafficking and safeguarding Iraqi communities.