“With the goal of reducing the phenomenon of drug abuse and trafficking, which is alien to Iraqi society, a force from the Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances was able to dismantle a drug network and arrest its members, numbering ten,” Diwaniyah police commander Najah Sultan told state media.
A large quantity of crystal meth, as well as a hand grenade, rifle, and pistol, were seized by authorities, according to Sultan.
There has been an alarming rise in drug dealing and use in Iraq in recent years, despite strict measures taken by the government to curb the phenomenon.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has ordered the establishment of rehabilitation centers in all Iraqi provinces, excluding the Kurdistan Region, as part of his cabinet’s commitment to combat drugs with the same determination as it fights terrorism.
In 2023, more than 19,000 people were arrested across Iraq on drug-related charges and over 15 tons of psychotropic substances were seized.
At least 17 drug suspects were killed in clashes with security forces in 2023, according to the Iraqi interior ministry.
The interior ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon held a quadrilateral meeting in Amman in mid-February, and agreed to establish a joint communications cell to keep up cooperation on addressing the alarming rise of narcotics in their countries.
