Drug trafficker arrested in Anbar with large quantity of Captagon

ANBAR — Iraq’s Military Intelligence Directorate forces arrested a drug trafficker in Anbar on Friday, seizing a large quantity of Captagon tablets in a planned operation.

The directorate said in a statement that the arrest followed directives from the head of Military Intelligence to intensify efforts against drug trafficking and distribution.

According to the statement, intelligence from the 10th Infantry Division’s Intelligence and Security Department confirmed the suspect’s location. Security units set up an operation with the cooperation of local security agencies and apprehended the suspect in possession of a substantial quantity of Captagon.

Authorities transferred the suspect and the seized drugs to the relevant legal body.

Iraq’s National Security Service said last Tuesday it has arrested an international drug trafficker accused of smuggling more than 100 kilograms of crystal meth into the country, following a coordinated intelligence operation with Iranian authorities.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs reported nationwide seizures of 250 kilograms of drugs and the arrest of 59 international dealers in September. In the first quarter of 2025, authorities arrested 3,006 people on drug-related offenses, and courts issued 973 sentences, an April report said.

Between January and August 2024, Iraqi courts handed down 140 death sentences and 500 life sentences in narcotics cases.