Iraqi military seizes over 140,000 narcotic pills in attempted smuggling operation

BAGHDAD — The Ministry of Defense announced the seizure of more than 140,000 narcotic pills in a thwarted smuggling attempt.

In a statement, the ministry said the operation was carried out by the Military Intelligence Directorate, which intercepted the shipment that had been transported using balloons equipped with tracking devices into a desert area under the division’s jurisdiction.

The statement said the entire quantity was confiscated and described the military intelligence personnel as “vigilant eyes” committed to pursuing drug traffickers and anyone threatening Iraq’s security or society.

Iraq has faced growing challenges from narcotics trafficking in recent years, evolving from a transit corridor into both a consumer market and a redistribution hub.

Earlier this month, Iraq’s Border Forces intercepted two balloon-borne drug smuggling attempts along the international border in Anbar governorate, seizing about 262,000 narcotic pills after detecting the aerial balloons with thermal cameras.

Courts have handed down some of the country’s toughest penalties in high-level trafficking cases. Between January and August 2024, judges issued 140 death sentences and 500 life sentences in narcotics cases.

In the first quarter of 2025, authorities reported 3,006 arrests related to drug offenses, while nationwide seizures reached 250 kilograms of narcotics in September alone.