Iraq’s military intelligence arrests 10 suspected drug dealers in Babil and Najaf

NEWSROOM — Iraq’s Military Intelligence Agency announced the arrest of 10 suspected drug dealers in Babil and Najaf, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

“Through precise intelligence efforts, the intelligence and security units of Najaf managed to arrest five drug dealers and promoters in Najaf Province. Judicial warrants had been issued for them in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the Narcotics Law. Their statements were recorded both initially and judicially, and they were referred to the relevant authorities,” the statement read.

Similarly, intelligence units in Babil arrested another five drug dealers in various locations across the governorate. Various narcotics and drug-related paraphernalia were confiscated during the raids.

Since the beginning of this year, around 8,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with narcotics, with nearly 2.2 tons of various drugs seized.

According to Article 27 of Iraq’s Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, individuals found guilty of importing, transporting, or exporting narcotics or psychotropic substances for trade outside of legally permitted conditions may face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The Ministry of Interior has issued 140 death sentences for drug dealers since the start of the year until early August, along with 500 life sentences.

A March 2024 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime highlighted Iraq’s growing drug crisis. Methamphetamine seizures in 2023 were almost six times higher than in 2019, while captagon seizures tripled between 2022 and 2023. The overall volume of drugs seized in 2023 was 34 times greater than in 2019.

In 2023 alone, more than 19,000 individuals were arrested on drug-related charges across Iraq, with over 15 tons of psychotropic substances confiscated. The Interior Ministry reported that at least 17 drug suspects were killed in clashes with security forces during the year.