ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces on Tuesday announced disbanding two “dangerous” drug-trafficking networks south of the country, arresting at least five suspects and seizing nearly 2,000 captagon pills.
At least three suspects were arrested after security forces raided the alleged site of a drug-trafficking network in Dhi Qar province, according to a statement from the Iraqi national security service.
“Several other suspects fled, which led to them being pursued and ultimately overthrown following armed clashes which continued for four hours,” read the statement. Iraq uses the term “overthrown” to denote detaining or killing.
At least one security officer was wounded in the clashes in Dhi Qar.
Another operation on a network in Muthana province resulted in three suspects “overthrown” and another wounded and then detained. The statement added that a separate suspect was arrested in the province as well.
A total of 1,894 captagon pills were arrested in the operations.
Captagon is an amphetamine-type stimulant which has been spreading across the Middle East, with Syria as the main supplier and Saudi Arabia the primary consumer.
Iraqi 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 growing drug trade and use as seriously as the country fights terrorism.
Around 15,000 people were arrested on drug-related charges in Iraq in 2022 and more than 400 kilograms of narcotics were confiscated, according to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.
