Sulaymaniyah’s Penjwen Sees Surge in Drug Use and Trafficking Cases in 2024
Tripled year-on-year
Sulaymaniyah’s Penjwen sees surge in drug use and trafficking cases across 2024
SULAYMANIYAH — Drug use and trafficking cases in the Penjwen district of Sulaymaniyah governorate tripled in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to detailed court statistics obtained by 964media.
In 2023, authorities recorded 12 cases related to drug use and trafficking in Penjwen, including one trafficking incident and 11 instances of drug use. By 2024, the number had risen to 46 cases, with five involving trafficking. Although the majority of drug users in Penjwen are not local residents, the district’s location on a key smuggling route has contributed to the increase, officials say.
Penjwen, located on the border with Iran, serves as a key transit point for trade and movement between the two countries through Bashmakh border crossing.
Salah Hassan, a Sulaymaniyah judge, explained the legal penalties for drug-related offenses. “The law differentiates between users and traffickers,” Hassan told 964media. “Drug users generally receive lighter sentences, often less than a year in prison, with a review of their criminal history to determine whether they have prior offenses. Most are sentenced to six months.”
For traffickers, the penalties are far harsher. “The law imposes severe punishment on traffickers, with sentences often reaching 15 years or even life imprisonment, particularly for repeat offenders or those responsible for large-scale trafficking that harms more individuals,” Hassan added.
He said 90% of drug users are introduced to substance abuse through their peers, with most users aged between 20 and 40.
Judicial advisor Adil Omer took to social media to highlight the dangers of drug proliferation, urging local authorities to strengthen measures to curb the spread of illegal substances. “The threat of these drugs is present in every household,” he wrote, emphasizing the rising trend in drug use and trafficking despite stringent penalties.
Omer called for collective efforts involving religious leaders, civil society organizations, educators, and community members to combat the growing menace, stressing that legislation alone is not enough to address the crisis.
According to data released on Dec. 11, 2024, the Directorate for Combating Narcotics under the Kurdistan Regional Security Agency, responsible for Sulaymaniyah and Halabja governorates, announced the arrest of 1,019 individuals on drug-related charges throughout the year.
The directorate reported the confiscation of over three tons of various narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, Captagon, crystal meth, opium, hashish and hallucinogens. In addition, authorities seized a total of 121,330 pills of assorted types during operations conducted over the past 11 months.