Kirkuk security forces dismantle drug trafficking network

KIRKUK — Security forces in Kirkuk have dismantled a drug trafficking network involved in international and domestic trade, arresting nine individuals and confiscating three kilograms of drugs.

A source from the Directorate of Narcotics Affairs in Kirkuk told 964media that the operation was conducted under the supervision of the Directorate. The three-day operation targeted locations within the city and resulted in the arrests of the network’s members.

The source added that during the final arrests, authorities seized three kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

The arrested individuals were taken into custody under Article 28 of the Anti-Narcotics Law No. 57 of 2017, based on orders from the judiciary.

Iraqi authorities have arrested approximately 8,000 individuals on drug-related charges since January and seized around 2.2 tons of various narcotics.

By August, the Ministry of Interior reported issuing 140 death sentences and 500 life sentences to convicted drug traffickers.

A March 2024 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime revealed a significant rise in drug activity across Iraq. Methamphetamine seizures in 2023 were nearly six times higher than in 2019, while captagon seizures tripled between 2022 and 2023. The total quantity of drugs seized in 2023 was 34 times greater than in 2019.

In 2023, over 19,000 individuals were arrested for drug-related offenses, with more than 15 tons of psychotropic substances confiscated. The Ministry of Interior also reported that at least 17 drug suspects were killed in confrontations with security forces during the year.