ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi authorities have arrested six individuals attempting to smuggle narcotics through border crossings and seized just under two dozen vehicles prepared for smuggling, a senior official from the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) told Rudaw on Monday, adding that dozens of vehicles have also been confiscated as part of an ongoing campaign to combat customs violations.
Between June 20 and Sunday, the INSS “has seized 137 vehicles in violation of regulations, as well as more than 20 vehicles seized inside border crossings and inspection yards” and “20 vehicles that were being prepared for smuggling,” said agency spokesperson Arshad al-Hakim.
He further noted that “judicial arrest warrants were implemented against six individuals who were attempting to smuggle narcotics through these border crossings were arrested,” framing the operations as part of an INSS push to strengthen “economic security” following orders from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
Zaidi in mid-June instructed INSS detachments to “deploy to border crossings, monitor all activities taking place there, and prepare the relevant security and intelligence reports,” Hakim explained.
This deployment came amid rising regional tensions, including maritime tit-for-tat measures between Iran and the United States in regional waters, which have prompted Iraq to expand the role of its transit hubs, including the southern port of Umm Qasr and land crossings, to manage and reroute cargo flows.
Working alongside Iraq’s General Customs Authority and the Border Ports Commission, the INSS is tasked with ensuring that Iraq’s ports are not used for illegal activities, Hakim said. He further explained that the latter is carried out through inspecting cargo, combating smuggling of weapons, drugs, unauthorized pharmaceuticals, and illicit fuel, and addressing economic security concerns linked to tariff evasion that reduces non-oil state revenues.
Hakim’s remarks come as Iraqi authorities continue progress on Operation Dawn, a large-scale anti-corruption campaign launched in late June under the direction of Prime Minister Zaidi, in coordination with the Federal Commission of Integrity.
The operation has so far resulted in the arrest of dozens of politicians and government employees, as well as the recovery of tens of millions of dollars in assets and the seizure of state properties allegedly transferred into private ownership.
A senior advisor to Zaidi said on Wednesday that more than $2 trillion has been embezzled in Iraq since the 2003 overthrow of the Baathist regime, affirming that the efforts will not stop any time soon and that suspects arrested in the nationwide campaign will face public trials.
