Iraqi authorities seize 100,000 Captagon pills, arrest suspected drug trafficker in Najaf

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics Affairs under the Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker and the seizure of 100,000 Captagon pills in Najaf following a month-long intelligence operation.

In an official statement, the directorate said, “The Special Investigations Department at the General Directorate for Narcotics Affairs continues to inflict heavy losses on drug traffickers.”

The operation was carried out under judicial orders from the Central Investigative Court in Al-Rusafa, following directives from Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari. A specialized task force, led by Major General Ahmed Al-Zarkani, conducted an intelligence-driven sting operation involving 30 days of surveillance and monitoring.

“The trafficker was apprehended in a meticulously planned ambush in Najaf while attempting to sell the illicit substances,” the statement added.

Iraq has seen a sharp rise in Captagon trafficking in recent years, establishing itself as a key transit hub for the illicit drug trade. Between 2019 and 2023, seizures of Captagon in Iraq skyrocketed by over 3,380%, with authorities confiscating more than 4.1 tons of the drug in 2023 alone.

While Iraqi authorities frequently report large-scale narcotics seizures along the porous Syrian-Iraqi border, the days following the collapse of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime have shown an unusual pause in smuggling activity. According to Haider Al-Quraishi, a member of Iraq’s National Anti-Drug Team under the National Security Advisory Office, no new smuggling attempts have been recorded during this period.

In an interview with Al-Hurra, Al-Quraishi revealed, “Captagon smuggled from Syria accounts for nearly 90% of the narcotics circulating in Iraq.”

Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics Affairs announced on Dec. 21 the arrest of 14,000 individuals involved in drug trafficking and the seizure of six tons of narcotics throughout 2024 as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown. The effort reflects a heightened focus on combating drug-related crimes amid growing concerns over the impact of narcotics on public health and security.