Kurdistan Authorities Foil Backgammon-Smuggling Narcotics Plot in Sulaymaniyah
Two arrested
Kurdistan Region authorities foil attempt to smuggle narcotics hidden in backgammon set
SULAYMANIYAH — The Directorate of Narcotics Control within the Kurdistan Region Security Agency has disrupted a smuggling operation involving illegal substances concealed inside a backgammon game in Sulaymaniyah.
In a statement, the directorate said, “On Jan. 12, 2025, following an investigation and intelligence gathering under judicial authorization, our team uncovered a sophisticated plan to transport and conceal narcotics within a backgammon board. Two suspects, involved in the smuggling operation, were arrested.”
The operation, conducted within Sulaymaniyah city limits, led to the seizure of over a kilogram of opium. The directorate explained that the narcotics were imported from outside the Kurdistan Region, with plans to ship them to Australia and, eventually, the United Kingdom. However, the operation was intercepted before it could progress further.
The suspects are being held under Article 25 of Law No. 1 of 2020 on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the Kurdistan Region. Investigations into their case are ongoing, the directorate confirmed.
In a report released on December 11, 2024, the Directorate overseeing Sulaymaniyah and Halabja governorates announced the arrest of 1,019 individuals on drug-related charges during the year.
The report also detailed the confiscation of more than three tons of various narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, Captagon, crystal meth, opium, hashish, and hallucinogens. Additionally, authorities seized a total of 121,330 assorted pills during operations conducted in the past 11 months.