Iraqi border officials inspect a shipment of seized medicines and medical supplies hidden inside a cargo container at Umm Qasr port in Basra governorate. Authorities said the shipment was prepared for smuggling.
Iraq seizes smuggled medicine shipment hidden at Umm Qasr port
BASRA — Iraq’s Border Ports Authority said Saturday it seized a shipment of medicines and medical supplies prepared for smuggling at Umm Qasr port, concealed behind fabric materials, as authorities moved to complete legal procedures against those involved.
Authority head Omar al-Waeli said the shipment was discovered during inspection operations at the port, with medicines hidden behind low-value goods.
Al-Waeli said the authority is proceeding with legal action against the smugglers, pointing to a series of recent seizures targeting violations at Umm Qasr.
In a post on his Facebook page, al-Waeli said the authority had delivered “a new blow, the third of its kind, to medicine smuggling networks at Umm Qasr port.”
“Large shipments of human medicines were seized after being hidden behind cheap materials in an attempt to evade government fees, bypass inspection procedures and avoid obtaining required approvals,” he wrote.
The Border Ports Authority said the operation is part of tightened oversight measures carried out in recent weeks.
“Over the past 40 days, the authority has also carried out operations against smugglers of vehicles below the permitted model year, in addition to seizing the largest medicine and medical supplies smuggling attempt,” the statement said.
Al-Waeli said the efforts aim to protect the local market and public health.
“We will continue taking legal measures against violators and maintain our work to prevent any attempts that harm the national economy or public health,” he wrote.
