Iraq intercepts drug-laden balloon carrying 95,000 Captagon pills across border

BAGHDAD — Iraqi border guards on Saturday said they intercepted a balloon carrying narcotics across the frontier, seizing 95,000 Captagon pills and other drugs in an unusual smuggling attempt.

In a statement, the Border Guard Command said the 1st Regiment of the 6th Border Brigade foiled the operation, adding, “The balloon was loaded with large quantities of narcotic substances,” including 95,000 Captagon pills packed in 102 bags, along with 1.6 kilograms of additional narcotics.

“The vigilance of the fighters of the Border Guard Command, and their watchful eyes on the border strip, will remain a solid barrier in the face of organized crime networks, protecting the security of Iraq and its society,” the statement said. It did not specify the exact interception point, but the 6th Brigade operates along parts of the Iraqi–Syrian border in western Nineveh governorate, a well-known corridor for smuggling activity.

Captagon trafficking has emerged as a growing concern in Iraq, with the country increasingly targeted as both a transit and consumer market. The government has stepped up regional cooperation in recent months, carrying out joint operations with Syria and Lebanon.

On July 30, Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari announced the dismantling of a major trafficking ring and the seizure of more than 1.35 million Captagon pills in a cross-border raid carried out with Syrian security forces. The operation, based on Iraqi judicial warrants, was described by officials as a blow to one of the most dangerous international trafficking networks.

On August 19, the Interior Ministry said it had provided intelligence to Lebanese authorities that led to the discovery and dismantling of what was believed to be the Middle East’s largest Captagon factory. Located in Lebanon’s Bekaa region, the site contained nearly 10 tons of equipment along with vast quantities of narcotics prepared for manufacturing and distribution. Lebanese officials praised the operation as a major breakthrough and credited Iraqi intelligence with enabling the raid.

The balloon incident highlights the increasingly creative methods used by traffickers to evade detection, and the mounting pressure on Iraqi security forces to patrol and secure difficult terrain along the country’s borders.