Investigators find another $19 million hidden in walls and water jugs

BAGHDAD — Iraqi investigators recovered another 25 billion dinars (about $18.9 million at the official rate), $200,000 and 4 kilograms of gold jewelry Thursday in the expanding corruption investigation involving detained Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs Adnan al-Jumaili, the judiciary said.

The investigating judge at the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court said part of the money had been left with several people, while the remainder was found hidden inside the walls of several homes.

Photographs released by the judiciary showed bundles of banknotes packed into the large upside-down jugs used in water-cooler dispensers, along with smaller jars. The images also showed gold necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry laid out beside the seized cash.

The judge said the investigation was continuing as authorities tracked the proceeds of the alleged crimes and sought to identify others suspected of involvement.

Thursday’s recovery was the latest in a series of seizures linked to Jumaili, who was dismissed in late May and arrested in Salah al-Din governorate over allegations involving commissions and the misuse of public funds through oil refining contracts. Jumaili previously headed the state-owned North Oil Company and North Refineries Company before serving as deputy oil minister.

On Monday, the Nineveh Integrity Investigation Court ordered the seizure of nine commercial properties, three flour mills and seven transport trucks valued at an estimated 69 billion dinars (about $52 million). The assets, in Mosul, had been registered in the names of workers employed by the suspects “to disguise and conceal their illicit origin,” according to the Supreme Judicial Council. Because the properties and mills remained operational, the court appointed judicial custodians to manage them, preserve their value and collect revenue while proceedings continue.

Authorities also recovered 358 kilograms of gold in the Jumaili investigation through coordination with Kurdistan Region officials. Another 17 kilograms came from a separate operation, bringing the amount transferred to the Central Bank of Iraq that day to 375 kilograms.

Earlier searches uncovered more than $121 million in cash that investigators said had been placed inside plastic water bottles and buried at Jumaili’s home in Tikrit. Authorities later found another 14 billion dinars (about $10.6 million) concealed in a stormwater drainage pit. Investigators have also reported seizing more than 40 luxury properties, vehicles and unlicensed weapons registered to Jumaili or people close to him.

The case began in October 2025 after authorities received reports that political candidates had spent unusually large sums during parliamentary election campaigns by exploiting state resources with support from influential figures in the previous government. The investigation widened after Jumaili’s arrest and has been described by the judiciary as involving alleged financial corruption, money laundering and abuse of public resources.

A wider operation announced June 28 led to the detention of dozens of current and former officials, political figures and businesspeople. State media reported that more than 15 names disclosed at the time were part of a group of 47 suspects.