Over 16 kilograms of narcotics
PMF captures major drug trafficker, seizes over 16 kilograms of narcotics in Anbar
ANBAR — A Popular Mobilization Forces unit captured a “major drug trafficker” in Al-Qaim district in western Anbar and seized over 16 kilograms of narcotics during a coordinated operation on Tuesday, the PMF said in a statement.
The PMF’s Anbar Command, working with the Directorate of Security and Discipline and Anbar Operations Command, carried out what the statement described as a “special operation” targeting drug trafficking activity in the district.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 11,750 grams of narcotic substances and 4,600 grams of hashish. Authorities have taken the suspect and the confiscated materials into custody for legal action.
Iraq has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking in recent years. On April 20, Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs announced that 3,006 individuals were arrested during the first quarter of 2025 as part of the country’s ongoing anti-drug operations. Courts also sentenced 973 people for drug-related offenses during the same period.
Between January and August 2024, Iraqi courts issued 140 death sentences and 500 life sentences for drug crimes.
In 2023, authorities arrested more than 19,000 people, seized over 15 tons of narcotics, and reported at least 17 suspects killed during clashes with security forces.
