The article hasn’t defined the drugs involved but I imagine we are talking about…
Captagon / Ice / Cocaine & Hashish which appear to be the main products traded in the middle east.
ERBIL — The Drug Affairs Directorate of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior reported significant progress in combating drug trafficking, including the dismantling of 25 international smuggling networks and the issuance of 74 death sentences this year.
The Ministry attributed these achievements to the strong support of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, noting that these results surpass those of the previous seven years.
Ziad Khalaf Katea, Director of the Research and Studies Center within the Directorate, informed local media, that in the first half of the year, 25 international drug trafficking networks were dismantled with the help of neighboring countries. This collaborative effort involves the exchange and updating of intelligence among countries to stay abreast of developments in the drug trade.
Katea highlighted that operations are carried out in accordance with Iraqi anti-Drug Law. Iraq has been working closely with regional partners, including Syria, Iran, and Qatar, to intercept drug shipments and apprehend traffickers. These joint efforts are crucial for managing and mitigating the flow of illegal drugs across borders.
The Directorate also reported that Iraqi courts, under the oversight of the Supreme Judicial Council, have issued 74 death sentences to drug traffickers this year.
This is a notable increase compared to the past three years, during which only 54 sentences were handed down. Death sentences or life imprisonment are issued under Articles 27 and 28 of the drug law, depending on the severity of the offenses.
In 2023 alone, more than 19,000 individuals were arrested across Iraq on drug-related charges, and over 15 tons of psychotropic substances were seized. Additionally, at least 17 drug suspects were killed in confrontations with security forces, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing drug enforcement efforts.
