Iraq’s border forces chief: Drug smuggling from Iran has ‘ceased’ with focus shifting to labor and food

BAGHDAD — The commander of Iraq’s Border Forces, Mohammed Sukkar, announced that drug smuggling from Iran into Iraq has ‘ceased’, with current smuggling activities now limited to labor and food supplies. Sukkar highlighted that most smugglers are male, attributing this to the rugged terrain along the borders.

He also noted that efforts to control the borders are influenced by the familial ties between residents of the border regions, who are often relatives or connected through marriage, further complicating enforcement measures.

Excerpts from  Mohammed Sukkar’s interview with Al Iraqiya:

We have three brigades in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil along the border with Iran, but smuggling is present due to the complex geographical nature and various factors casting their shadows over the issue, such as the economic aspect.

The border area residents, whether Iranian or Syrian, are often relatives or have marital ties with Iraqis, which affects the work and procedures of border forces in controlling the borders. However, our projects in this regard are ongoing.

What is currently being smuggled from Iran includes Asian laborers, who are intercepted from time to time, and foodstuffs. As for drugs, the issue has ceased, and we have not seized significant quantities at the borders.

Most of the smugglers we apprehend are males, due to the harsh nature of attempting to cross the borders—only men can manage it. There are no females except in humanitarian cases involving refugees from the Syrian side, and legal measures have been taken in such cases.