KRG arrests 277 drug consumers, dealers in 2016

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Region Security forces announced on Sunday that they have arrested nearly 300 people of using and dealing drugs.

The Directorate of Drug Prevention in the Ministry of Interior released a statement revealing that since the beginning of 2016, security forces have confiscated 20 kilograms of opium, heroin, and cannabis in Erbil province.

According to the report, 277 people were arrested for the consumption and dealing with drugs in the past six months.

The Directorate stressed that the security forces put all their efforts to prevent repeat offenses by arresting the drug traders.

The statement also asked people to inform security forces about any suspected cases involving drugs.

On June 9, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) deported over 150 foreigners in 2015 because of consuming and dealing illegal drugs in the Region, according to Erbil Drug Prevention Directorate.

Security forces have been working aggressively to minimize drug-related crime in the Province. Recently, Erbil security arrested a group of people that were producing drugs in their homes.

According to the Erbil Drug Prevention Directorate’s statistics, almost 500 people have been detained in Erbil in 2015, including five women.

“Drug abusers will be punished with a minimum of one year in prison,” Kurdish Lawyer Shakhawan Mohammad Omar, told Kurdistan24.

“The punishment is much higher for the drug dealers,” he added.

On May 9, the Erbil Drug Prevention Directorate revealed in a press conference that the security had arrested two groups of people, consisting of 62 criminals, who were involved in consuming and dealing drugs in the city.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Additional reporting by Mewan Dolamari)